Anti-TIGIT antibodies

ABSTRACT

Anti-TIGIT antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that inhibit TIGIT-mediated signalling are provided, together with combinations comprising said antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof and methods for their use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/159,506, filed Oct. 12, 2018, allowed, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/043968, filed Jul. 26, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/660,640, filed on Apr. 20, 2018, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/606,159, filed on Jul. 27, 2017, EP Patent Application No. 17184102.6 filed on Jul. 31, 2017, and BE Patent Application No. 2017/5535 filed on Jul. 31, 2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing with 370 sequences which has been filed electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on May 1, 2019, is named 41128USC2sequencelisting.txt and is 135,402 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Cancer immunotherapy relies on the modulation of the immune system to increase recognition and response against tumour cells. Such modulation can be achieved by multiple mechanisms including the activation of co-stimulatory molecules present on immune cells or through the inhibition of co-inhibitory receptors. The activation of an immune response is a complex mechanism involving numerous cell populations like antigen-presenting cells important for the initiation of the antigen-specific response and effector cells responsible for tumour cell destruction. The mechanisms modulating the activity of effector cells like cytotoxic T cells are numerous and represent target of choice in the context of cancer immunotherapy.

TIGIT (T cell Immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains), also called WUCAM, VSIG9 or Vstm3, is a co-inhibitory receptor preferentially expressed on NK, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells as well as on regulatory T cells (Treg cells, or simply “Tregs”). TIGIT is transmembrane protein containing a known ITIM domain in its intracellular portion, a transmembrane domain and an immunoglobulin variable domain on the extracellular part of the receptor. Several ligands were described to bind to TIGIT receptor with CD155/PVR showing the best affinity followed by CD113/PVRL3 and CD112/PVRL2 (Yu et al. (2009) Nat. Immunol. 10:48). DNAM/CD226, a known co-stimulatory receptor also expressed on NK and T cells competes with TIGIT for CD155 and CD112 binding but with a lower affinity, which suggests a tight control of the activation of these effector cells to avoid uncontrolled cytotoxicity against normal cells expressing CD155 ligand.

TIGIT expression is increased on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and in disease settings such as HIV infection. TIGIT expression marks exhausted T cells that have lower effector function as compared to TIGIT negative counterparts (Kurtulus et al. (2015) J. Clin. Invest. 276:112; Chew et al. (2016) Plos Pathogens. 12). Conversely, Treg cells that express TIGIT show enhanced immunosuppressive activity as compared to TIGIT negative Treg population (Joller et al. (2014) Immunity. 40:569).

Like other co-inhibitory receptors (PD1 or CTLA4) expressed on T cells that have been proven to be relevant target for immunotherapy and for which antagonistic antibodies have been approved for the treatment of human cancer, the development of antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibody may help to turn-on the immune system and better fight cancer cells. It has been suggested that antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibodies in monotherapy or in combination with a-PD1 antibody could achieve strong anti-tumour efficacy in preclinical models (Johnston et al. (2014) Cancer Cell 26:1; WO2016/028656; US2016/0176963; US2016/0376365, all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

Thus, antagonistic antibodies specific for TIGIT that could inhibit TIGIT receptor activity represent an opportunity to decrease the immunosuppressive effect associated with tumour microenvironments and thereby increase antitumor immune response against tumour cells.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides anti-TIGIT antibodies that can decrease the immunosuppressive effect of TIGIT-mediated signalling. In particular, antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention can inhibit TIGIT-mediated immunosuppression through prevention of ligand binding on T cells (conventional αβ T cells and non-conventional γδ T cells) and NK cells and/or depletion of TIGIT positive Treg cells, and/or by inducing internalisation of the TIGIT receptor.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human TIGIT and which comprises a heavy chain variable domain comprising a heavy chain CDR1 (HCDR1), a heavy chain CDR2 (HCDR2), and a heavy chain CDR3 (HCDR3) selected from the HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 sequences shown in FIG. 1 and which further comprises a light chain variable domain comprising a light chain CDR1 (LCDR1), a light chain CDR2 (LCDR2), and a light chain CDR3 (LCDR3) selected from the LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 sequences shown in FIG. 2.

In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein the combination is selected from the group of combinations formed by the HCDRs from each antibody in FIG. 1 taken with the LCDRs from the corresponding antibody in FIG. 2.

In certain embodiments, an antibody or antigen binding fragment according the invention may comprise a heavy chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID Nos: 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 327, 329, and 331 and amino acid sequences exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto; and optionally comprise a light chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID Nos: 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 328, 330, and 332 and amino acid sequences exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain, wherein the combination is selected from the group of combinations formed by the VH from each antibody in FIG. 5, or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, taken with the VL from the same antibody in FIG. 5, or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

The most-preferred antibodies and antigen binding fragments provided herein are those based on the CDRs or complete variable domains of antibody 31282 provided herein.

As demonstrated herein, these preferred anti-TIGIT antibodies and antigen binding fragments based on antibody 31282 have particularly surprising and advantageous properties. These properties include: a higher affinity for TIGIT expressed on CD8 T cells (from healthy donors or from cancer patients) compared to each previously described anti-TIGIT antibody tested; a better IC50 for competition with CD155/PVR compared to each previously described anti-TIGIT antibody tested; a better EC50 in T cell activation assays compared to each previously described anti-TIGIT antibody tested; and potently increasing activity in T cells from cancer patient peripheral blood, and importantly in tumour infiltrating lymphocytes. Furthermore, it is surprisingly shown herein that antibodies and antigen binding fragments according to the invention, especially those based on antibody 31282, preferentially deplete Treg cells. That is, TIGIT-expressing Treg cells exposed to the provided anti-TIGIT antibodies undergo lysis to a greater proportion compared to conventional CD4 and CD8 T cells. This is surprising because conventional CD4 and CD8 T cells also express TIGIT, but do not undergo cell lysis to the same extent when contacted with the antibodies. It is further surprisingly shown that antibodies and antigen binding fragments according to the invention, especially those based on antibody 31282 not only promote conventional T cell pro-inflammatory activity, but also increase activity of non-conventional γδ T cells.

Thus, in certain preferred embodiments, provided herein is an antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 wherein:

HCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 16  (YTFTSYYMH), HCDR2 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 17 (VIGPSGASTSYAQKFQG), HCDR3 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 18  (ARDHSDYWSGIMEV), LCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 61  (RASQSVRSSYLA), LCDR2 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 62  (GASSRAT), and LCDR3 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 63  (QQYFSPPWT).

In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 221 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 222 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

In certain preferred embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody is antibody 31282 described herein.

In a further aspect the invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, which cross-competes for binding to human TIGIT with an antibody according to the first aspect of the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, which binds to the same epitope as an antibody according to the first aspect of the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to an epitope of human TIGIT comprising TIGIT residues Q56, and 1109, optionally comprising residues Q56, N58 and 1109. In preferred embodiments is provided an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to an epitope of human TIGIT comprising TIGIT residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109.

In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds to an epitope of human TIGIT consisting of TIGIT residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human TIGIT and which does not compete with CD155 for TIGIT binding.

In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment which binds to human TIGIT and which does not compete with CD155 for TIGIT binding comprises HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 wherein HCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 280, HCDR2 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 281, HCDR3 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 282, and LCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 292, LCDR2 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 293, and LCDR3 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 294.

In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 333 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 334 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody which binds to human TIGIT and which does not compete with CD155 for TIGIT binding comprises a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 353, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 354, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 355, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 356, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 357, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 358.

In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 367 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 368 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an isolated anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which preferentially depletes TIGIT-expressing Treg cells, optionally wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment is an antibody or antigen binding fragment according to the first aspect of the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein.

In a further aspect the invention provides an affinity variant of an antibody according to other aspects of the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein.

In a further aspect the invention provides an isolated polynucleotide or combination of isolated polynucleotides encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment according to any other aspect of the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein.

In a further aspect the invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a VH and/or a VL domain of an anti-TIGIT antibody, wherein the polynucleotide comprises one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 241-270, 335-342 and 369-370.

In a further aspect the invention provides an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide or combination of polynucleotides according to the invention operably linked to regulatory sequences which permit expression of the antigen binding polypeptide in a host cell or cell-free expression system.

In a further aspect the invention provides a host cell or cell-free expression system containing an expression vector according to the invention.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of producing a recombinant antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which comprises culturing a host cell or cell free expression system according to the invention under conditions which permit expression of the antibody or antigen binding fragment and recovering the expressed antibody or antigen binding fragment.

In a further aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment according to the invention, for example an antibody exemplified herein, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

In a further aspect the invention provides an antibody or antigen-binding fragment according to the invention or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in therapy.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody or antigen-binding fragment according to the invention (for example an antibody exemplified herein) or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in a method of treating cancer.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an antibody or antigen-binding fragment according to the invention (for example an antibody exemplified herein) or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in a method of treating viral infection, optionally CMV infection.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment according to the invention (for example an antibody exemplified herein) or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention to the subject, thereby treating the cancer.

In a further aspect is provided a method of treating viral infection in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment according to the invention or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention to the subject, thereby treating the viral infection. In preferred embodiments the viral infection is CMV infection.

In a further aspect is provided a method of promoting T cell activity comprising contacting a population of T cells with an antibody or antigen binding fragment according to the invention. In certain embodiments the method promotes αβ T cell activity. In certain embodiments the method promotes γδ T cell activity. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vitro. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vivo, for example in a human subject.

In certain embodiments is provided a method according to the invention, or an antibody or antigen-binding fragment or pharmaceutical composition for use in a method according to the invention, wherein the method further comprises administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents. In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more additional agents are selected from: a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti-GITR antibody, and an anti-ICOS antibody.

In a further aspect is provided a combination comprising an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof and one or more of a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti-GITR antibody, and an anti-ICOS antibody. In a further aspect is provided a combination according to the invention for use in therapy. In a further aspect is provided a combination according to the invention for use in a method of treating cancer or for use in a method of treating viral infection. In a further aspect is provided a combination according to the invention for use in a method according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment the anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is an antibody of the invention or an antigen binding fragment thereof.

In all relevant aspects, it is preferred that any subject to be treated is a human subject. In all relevant aspects it is preferred that cells (e.g. T cells) contacted with antibodies according to the invention are human cells (e.g. human T cells).

Unless technically incompatible or indicated to the contrary, any preferred embodiment described can optionally be used in combination with one or more of all other preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1: Table providing heavy chain variable domain (VH) complementarity determining region (CDR) sequences of antibodies of the invention.

FIG. 2: Table providing light chain variable domain (VL) CDR sequences of antibodies of the invention.

FIG. 3: Table providing heavy chain variable domain (VH) framework (FR) sequences of antibodies of the invention.

FIG. 4: Table providing light chain variable domain (VL) framework (FR) sequences of antibodies of the invention.

FIG. 5: Table providing heavy chain variable domain (VH) and light chain variable domain (VL) amino acid sequences of antibodies of the invention.

FIG. 6: Table providing sequences of polynucleotides encoding VH and VL domains of antibodies according to the invention.

FIG. 7: Graph showing the results of a competition assay between hCD155 and anti-TIGIT antibody for binding to Jurkat-hTIGIT.

FIG. 8A: Graph showing the proportion of TIGIT positive cells within specific T cell populations of PBMC from 7 healthy human donors. FIG. 8B: Graph showing the proportion of TIGIT positive cells within different immune populations of PBMC from 7 healthy human donors.

FIG. 9: Graph showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody on Jurkat-hTIGIT.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B: Graphs showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody on primary CD8+ T cells from human healthy PBMCs. FIG. 10C Graph showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody on primary memory CD8+ T cells and Treg from human healthy PBMCs.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B: Graphs showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody on primary CD8+ T cells from cynomolgus healthy PBMCs.

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, and FIG. 12C: Graphs showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibodies in a CHO-TCR-CD155 and Jurkat-hTIGIT Bioassay.

FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C: Graphs showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibodies to increase IFNg secretion in a functional assay on human primary CD8 T cells from healthy donors activated with CHO-TCR-CD155 cells.

FIG. 14: Histogram plots showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody to increase IFNg secretion in a functional assay on human primary CD8+ TILs from an ovarian ascites activated with CHO-TCR-CD155 cells.

FIG. 15A Graph showing the results of a competition assay between mouse CD155 and anti-TIGIT antibody for binding to Jurkat-mTIGIT.—FIG. 15B Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody to increase IFNg secretion in a functional assay on mouse OT-1 T cells. FIG. 15C Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody to increase cytotoxicity in a functional assay on mouse OT-1 T cells.

FIG. 16A Graph showing the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy in a CT26 tumor model. FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C Graphs showing the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibody in combination with anti-PD1 in a CT26 tumor model.

FIG. 17A Graph showing the isotype dependent anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy in a CT26 tumor model. FIG. 17B Graph showing the isotype dependent anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibody in combination with anti-PD1 in a CT26 tumor model.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18G Graphs showing the modulation of proportion of Treg cell within total CD4+ T cell population in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 18B and FIG. 18H Graphs showing the modulation of proportion of CD8+ T cell within total CD45+ population in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 18C and FIG. 18I Graphs showing the modulation of CD8+/Treg T cell ratio in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 18D and FIG. 18J Graph showing the modulation of IFNg secreting CD4+ T cells in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 18E Graph showing the modulation of IFNg secreting CD8+ T cells in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody. FIG. 18L and FIG. 18F Graphs showing the ratio of IFNg/IL-10 secreting CD4+ T cells in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 18K Graph showing the modulation of IL-10 secreting CD4+ T cells in CT26 tumor treated by anti-TIGIT antibody in combination with anti-PD1 antibody.

FIG. 19A Volcano plot showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody treatment to modulate gene expression in CT26 tumor and measured by NanoString analysis. FIG. 19B Box plot showing the modulation of cytotoxic score in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1. FIG. 19C Box plot showing the modulation of CD8+ T cell score in CT26 tumor treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy or combination with anti-PD1.

FIG. 20A Histogram plots showing the proportion of TIGIT+ CD4+, CD8+ T cell and Treg populations in PBMC from human healthy volunteers. FIG. 20B Graph showing the in vitro cytotoxicity effect of anti-TIGIT antibody on conventional CD4+, CD8+ T cell and Treg populations in PBMC from human healthy volunteers.

FIG. 21 Graph showing the ex-vivo cytotoxicity effect of anti-TIGIT antibody on conventional CD4+, CD8+ T cell and Treg populations in CT26 tumour.

FIG. 22A Graph showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody clones on Jurkat-hTIGIT cells. FIG. 22B Graph showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody clones on primary CD8+ T cells from healthy human PBMCs. FIG. 22C Graph showing the results of a binding assay of anti-TIGIT antibody clones on primary CD8+ T cells from cancer patients PBMCs.

FIG. 23 Graph showing the results of a competition assay between human CD155 and anti-TIGIT antibody clones for binding to Jurkat-hTIGIT.

FIGS. 24A-C Graphs showing the functional characterization of antagonist a-TIGIT clones. FIG. 24A Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibodies in a functional assay using Jurkat-hTIGIT effector cells (Luciferase reporter assay). FIG. 24B Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibodies in a functional assay measuring IFNg secretion by human primary CD8+ T cell from healthy volunteers. FIG. 24C Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody clone 31282 in functional assay measuring IFNg secretion by cancer patient CD3+ T cell from PBMC. FIG. 24D Graph showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody clone 31282 in functional assay measuring intracellular cytokine staining in cancer patient TILs or PBMCs.

FIG. 25 Cytotoxic activity of a-TIGIT clone 31282 on total memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and Treg populations in PBMC from cancer patient.

FIGS. 26A-26B Graphs showing the characterization of TIGIT expression on immune populations from cancer patients. FIG. 26A Frequency of TIGIT expression on immune populations from cancer patient PBMC and TILs. FIG. 26B Absolute quantification of TIGIT expression on immune populations from cancer patient PBMC and TILs.

FIG. 27A Structure of the Fab:TIGIT complex shown as ribbon diagram; FIG. 27B Full binding interface between clone 31282 and TIGIT; FIG. 27C Binding interface between clone 31282 and TIGIT showing contacted residues.

FIG. 28 Competition assay between anti-TIGIT clones 31282 and 32959.

FIG. 29 Measure of plasma concentration of anti-TIGIT clone 31282 after i.v. injection of a single dose at 0.1 mg/kg (top row), 1 mg/kg (middle row) or 10 mg/kg (bottom row) in Cynomolgus monkey. Left column: 31282 IgG1; right column 31282 IgG4.

FIGS. 30A-30B Plots showing the characterization of TIGIT expression on malignant and normal CD4+ T cell populations from patient with Sézary Syndrome. FIG. 30A Gating strategy to separate malignant and normal CD4+ T cells. FIG. 30B MFI for TIGIT staining on the 2 distinct populations.

FIGS. 31A-31B Plots showing the characterization of TIGIT expression on malignant and normal B cell populations from patient with CLL. FIG. 31A Gating strategy to separate malignant and normal B cells. FIG. 31B MFI for TIGIT staining on the 2 distinct populations.

FIGS. 32A-32C Graph showing the tumor growth curves in mice inoculated with EL4-mTIGIT tumors. FIG. 32A Median tumor growth curves. FIG. 32B Individual tumor growth curves in mice treated with hIgG1 isotype control antibody. FIG. 32C Individual tumor growth curves in mice treated with mouse surrogate antagonist a-TIGIT antibody (hIgG1).

FIGS. 32D-32F Graph showing the tumor growth curves in mice inoculated with EL4-GFP tumors. FIG. 32D Median tumor growth curves. FIG. 32E Individual tumor growth curves in mice treated with hIgG1 isotype control antibody. FIG. 32F Individual tumor growth curves in mice treated with surrogate antagonist a-TIGIT (hIgG1).

FIGS. 33A-33D Graphs showing the tumor growth curves in mice inoculated with CT26 tumors. FIG. 33A Median and individual tumor growth curves for mice treated with anti-TIGIT and anti-4-1BB antibodies. FIG. 33B Median and individual tumor growth curves for mice treated with anti-TIGIT and anti-OX-40 antibodies. FIG. 33C Median and individual tumor growth curves for mice treated with anti-TIGIT and anti-GITR antibodies. FIG. 33D Median and individual tumor growth curves for mice treated with anti-TIGIT and anti-ICOS antibodies.

FIG. 34A-34C Graphs showing the effect of anti-TIGIT antibodies on γδ T cells. FIG. 34A Median proportion of TIGIT positive cells and TIGIT MFI signal within Vδ2-γδ T cell populations of PBMC from CMV positive and negative human donors. FIG. 34B Graph showing the activity of anti-TIGIT Ab to increase IFNg secretion in a functional assay on isolated human primary Vδ1+γδ T cells. FIG. 34C Graph showing the activity of anti-TIGIT Ab to increase IFNg secretion in a functional assay on total PBMC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

As used herein, the term “immunoglobulin” includes a polypeptide having a combination of two heavy and two light chains whether or not it possesses any relevant specific immunoreactivity. “Antibodies” refers to such assemblies which have significant known specific immunoreactive activity to an antigen of interest (e.g. TIGIT). The term “TIGIT antibodies” or “anti-TIGIT antibodies” are used herein to refer to antibodies which exhibit immunological specificity for TIGIT protein. Antibodies and immunoglobulins comprise light and heavy chains, with or without an interchain covalent linkage between them. Basic immunoglobulin structures in vertebrate systems are relatively well understood.

The generic term “immunoglobulin” comprises five distinct classes of antibody that can be distinguished biochemically. Although all five classes of antibodies are within the scope of the present invention, the following discussion will generally be directed to the IgG class of immunoglobulin molecules. With regard to IgG, immunoglobulins comprise two identical light polypeptide chains of molecular weight approximately 23,000 Daltons, and two identical heavy chains of molecular weight 53,000-70,000. The four chains are joined by disulfide bonds in a “Y” configuration wherein the light chains bracket the heavy chains starting at the mouth of the “Y” and continuing through the variable region.

The light chains of an antibody are classified as either kappa or lambda (κ, λ). Each heavy chain class may be bound with either a kappa or lambda light chain. In general, the light and heavy chains are covalently bonded to each other, and the “tail” portions of the two heavy chains are bonded to each other by covalent disulfide linkages or non-covalent linkages when the immunoglobulins are generated by B cells or genetically engineered host cells. In the heavy chain, the amino acid sequences run from an N-terminus at the forked ends of the Y configuration to the C-terminus at the bottom of each chain. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that heavy chains are classified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon, (γ, μ, α, δ, ε) with some subclasses among them (e.g., γ1-γ4). It is the nature of this chain that determines the “class” of the antibody as IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD or IgE, respectively. The immunoglobulin subclasses (isotypes) e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, etc. are well characterized and are known to confer functional specialization. Modified versions of each of these classes and isotypes are readily discernible to the skilled artisan in view of the instant disclosure and, accordingly, are within the scope of the instant invention.

As indicated above, the variable region of an antibody allows the antibody to selectively recognize and specifically bind epitopes on antigens. That is, the VL domain and VH domain of an antibody combine to form the variable region that defines a three dimensional antigen binding site. This quaternary antibody structure forms the antigen binding site present at the end of each arm of the Y. More specifically, the antigen binding site is defined by three complementary determining regions (CDRs) on each of the VH and VL chains.

As used herein, the terms “TIGIT protein” or “TIGIT antigen” or “TIGIT” are used interchangeably and refer to the human T-cell immunoreceptor (GenBank accession number: NM_173799) that binds the poliovirus receptor (PVR—also known as CD155). TIGIT is also known as VSIG9, VSTM3, or WUCAM. Reference to TIGIT includes the native human TIGIT protein naturally expressed in the human host and/or on the surface of human cultured cell lines, as well as recombinant forms and fragments thereof and also naturally occurring mutant forms.

As used herein, the term “binding site” comprises a region of a polypeptide which is responsible for selectively binding to a target antigen of interest (e.g. TIGIT). Binding domains comprise at least one binding site. Exemplary binding domains include an antibody variable domain. The antibody molecules of the invention may comprise a single binding site or multiple (e.g., two, three or four) binding sites.

As used herein the term “derived from” a designated protein (e.g. a TIGIT antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof) refers to the origin of the polypeptide. In one embodiment, the polypeptide or amino acid sequence which is derived from a particular starting polypeptide is a CDR sequence or sequence related thereto. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence which is derived from a particular starting polypeptide is not contiguous. For example, in one embodiment, one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs are derived from a starting antibody. In one embodiment, the polypeptide or amino acid sequence which is derived from a particular starting polypeptide or amino acid sequence has an amino acid sequence that is essentially identical to that of the starting sequence, or a portion thereof wherein the portion consists of at least 3-5 amino acids, at least 5-10 amino acids, at least 10-20 amino acids, at least 20-30 amino acids, or at least 30-50 amino acids, or which is otherwise identifiable to one of ordinary skill in the art as having its origin in the starting sequence. In one embodiment, the one or more CDR sequences derived from the starting antibody are altered to produce variant CDR sequences, e.g. affinity variants, wherein the variant CDR sequences maintain TIGIT binding activity.

As used herein, a “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art, including basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a nonessential amino acid residue in an immunoglobulin polypeptide may be replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. In another embodiment, a string of amino acids can be replaced with a structurally similar string that differs in order and/or composition of side chain family members.

As used herein, the term “heavy chain portion” includes amino acid sequences derived from the constant domains of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. A polypeptide comprising a heavy chain portion comprises at least one of: a CH1 domain, a hinge (e.g., upper, middle, and/or lower hinge region) domain, a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, or a variant or fragment thereof. In one embodiment, an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the invention may comprise the Fc portion of an immunoglobulin heavy chain (e.g., a hinge portion, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain). In another embodiment, an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the invention may lack at least a portion of a constant domain (e.g., all or part of a CH2 domain). In certain embodiments, at least one, and preferably all, of the constant domains are derived from a human immunoglobulin heavy chain. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the heavy chain portion comprises a fully human hinge domain. In other preferred embodiments, the heavy chain portion comprises a fully human Fc portion (e.g., hinge, CH2 and CH3 domain sequences from a human immunoglobulin).

In certain embodiments, the constituent constant domains of the heavy chain portion are from different immunoglobulin molecules. For example, a heavy chain portion of a polypeptide may comprise a CH2 domain derived from an IgG1 molecule and a hinge region derived from an IgG3 or IgG4 molecule. In other embodiments, the constant domains are chimeric domains comprising portions of different immunoglobulin molecules. For example, a hinge may comprise a first portion from an IgG1 molecule and a second portion from an IgG3 or IgG4 molecule. As set forth above, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the constant domains of the heavy chain portion may be modified such that they vary in amino acid sequence from the naturally occurring (wild-type) immunoglobulin molecule. That is, the polypeptides of the invention disclosed herein may comprise alterations or modifications to one or more of the heavy chain constant domains (CH1, hinge, CH2 or CH3) and/or to the light chain constant region domain (CL). Exemplary modifications include additions, deletions or substitutions of one or more amino acids in one or more domains.

As used herein, the terms “variable region” and “variable domain” are used interchangeably and are intended to have equivalent meaning. The term “variable” refers to the fact that certain portions of the variable domains VH and VL differ extensively in sequence among antibodies and are used in the binding and specificity of each particular antibody for its target antigen. However, the variability is not evenly distributed throughout the variable domains of antibodies. It is concentrated in three segments called “hypervariable loops” in each of the VL domain and the VH domain which form part of the antigen binding site. The first, second and third hypervariable loops of the VLambda light chain domain are referred to herein as L1(2), L2(2) and L3(2) and may be defined as comprising residues 24-33 (L1(2), consisting of 9, 10 or 11 amino acid residues), 49-53 (L2(2), consisting of 3 residues) and 90-96 (L3(2), consisting of 5 residues) in the VL domain (Morea et al., Methods 20, 267-279, 2000). The first, second and third hypervariable loops of the VKappa light chain domain are referred to herein as L1(κ), L2(κ) and L3(κ) and may be defined as comprising residues 25-33 (L1(κ), consisting of 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 or 13 residues), 49-53 (L2(κ), consisting of 3 residues) and 90-97 (L3(κ), consisting of 6 residues) in the VL domain (Morea et al., Methods 20, 267-279, 2000). The first, second and third hypervariable loops of the VH domain are referred to herein as H1, H2 and H3 and may be defined as comprising residues 25-33 (H1, consisting of 7, 8 or 9 residues), 52-56 (H2, consisting of 3 or 4 residues) and 91-105 (H3, highly variable in length) in the VH domain (Morea et al., Methods 20, 267-279, 2000).

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms L1, L2 and L3 respectively refer to the first, second and third hypervariable loops of a VL domain, and encompass hypervariable loops obtained from both VKappa and VLambda isotypes. The terms H1, H2 and H3 respectively refer to the first, second and third hypervariable loops of the VH domain, and encompass hypervariable loops obtained from any of the known heavy chain isotypes, including γ, ε, δ, α or μ.

The hypervariable loops L1, L2, L3, H1, H2 and H3 may each comprise part of a “complementarity determining region” or “CDR”, as defined below. The terms “hypervariable loop” and “complementarity determining region” are not strictly synonymous, since the hypervariable loops (HVs) are defined on the basis of structure, whereas complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are defined based on sequence variability (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., 1991) and the limits of the HVs and the CDRs may be different in some VH and VL domains.

The CDRs of the VL and VH domains can typically be defined as comprising the following amino acids: residues 24-34 (LCDR1), 50-56 (LCDR2) and 89-97 (LCDR3) in the light chain variable domain, and residues 31-35 or 31-35b (HCDR1), 50-65 (HCDR2) and 95-102 (HCDR3) in the heavy chain variable domain; (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., 1991). Thus, the HVs may be comprised within the corresponding CDRs and references herein to the “hypervariable loops” of VH and VL domains should be interpreted as also encompassing the corresponding CDRs, and vice versa, unless otherwise indicated.

The more highly conserved portions of variable domains are called the framework region (FR), as defined below. The variable domains of native heavy and light chains each comprise four FRs (FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4, respectively), largely adopting a (3-sheet configuration, connected by the three hypervariable loops. The hypervariable loops in each chain are held together in close proximity by the FRs and, with the hypervariable loops from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen-binding site of antibodies. Structural analysis of antibodies revealed the relationship between the sequence and the shape of the binding site formed by the complementarity determining regions (Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 227, 799-817, 1992; Tramontano et al., J. Mol. Biol, 215, 175-182, 1990). Despite their high sequence variability, five of the six loops adopt just a small repertoire of main-chain conformations, called “canonical structures”. These conformations are first of all determined by the length of the loops and secondly by the presence of key residues at certain positions in the loops and in the framework regions that determine the conformation through their packing, hydrogen bonding or the ability to assume unusual main-chain conformations.

As used herein, the term “CDR” or “complementarity determining region” means the non-contiguous antigen combining sites found within the variable region of both heavy and light chain polypeptides. These particular regions have been described by Kabat et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252, 6609-6616, 1977, by Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., 1991, by Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 196, 901-917, 1987, and by MacCallum et al., J. Mol. Biol. 262, 732-745, 1996, where the definitions include overlapping or subsets of amino acid residues when compared against each other. The amino acid residues which encompass the CDRs as defined by each of the above cited references are set forth for comparison. Preferably, the term “CDR” is a CDR as defined by Kabat based on sequence comparisons.

TABLE 1 CDR definitions. CDR Definitions Kabat¹ Chothia² MacCallum³ V_(H) CDR1 31-35 26-32 30-35 V_(H) CDR2 50-65 53-55 47-58 V_(H) CDR3  95-102  96-101  93-101 V_(L) CDR1 24-34 26-32 30-36 V_(L) CDR2 50-56 50-52 46-55 V_(L) CDR3 89-97 91-96 89-96 ¹Residue numbering follows the nomenclature of Kabat et al., supra ²Residue numbering follows the nomenclature of Chothia et al., supra ³Residue numbering follows the nomenclature of MacCallum et al., supra

As used herein, the term “framework region” or “FR region” includes the amino acid residues that are part of the variable region, but are not part of the CDRs (e.g., using the Kabat definition of CDRs). Therefore, a variable region framework is between about 100-120 amino acids in length but includes only those amino acids outside of the CDRs. For the specific example of a heavy chain variable domain and for the CDRs as defined by Kabat et al., framework region 1 corresponds to the domain of the variable region encompassing amino acids 1-30; framework region 2 corresponds to the domain of the variable region encompassing amino acids 36-49; framework region 3 corresponds to the domain of the variable region encompassing amino acids 66-94, and framework region 4 corresponds to the domain of the variable region from amino acids 103 to the end of the variable region. The framework regions for the light chain are similarly separated by each of the light claim variable region CDRs. Similarly, using the definition of CDRs by Chothia et al. or McCallum et al. the framework region boundaries are separated by the respective CDR termini as described above. In preferred embodiments the CDRs are as defined by Kabat.

In naturally-occurring antibodies, the six CDRs present on each monomeric antibody are short, non-contiguous sequences of amino acids that are specifically positioned to form the antigen binding site as the antibody assumes its three dimensional configuration in an aqueous environment. The remainder of the heavy and light variable domains show less inter-molecular variability in amino acid sequence and are termed the framework regions. The framework regions largely adopt a β-sheet conformation and the CDRs form loops which connect, and in some cases form part of, the β-sheet structure. Thus, these framework regions act to form a scaffold that provides for positioning the six CDRs in correct orientation by inter-chain, non-covalent interactions. The antigen binding site formed by the positioned CDRs defines a surface complementary to the epitope on the immunoreactive antigen. This complementary surface promotes the non-covalent binding of the antibody to the immunoreactive antigen epitope. The position of CDRs can be readily identified by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term “fragment” refers to a part or portion of an antibody or antibody chain comprising fewer amino acid residues than an intact or complete antibody or antibody chain. The term “antigen-binding fragment” refers to a polypeptide fragment of an immunoglobulin or antibody that binds antigen or competes with intact antibody (i.e., with the intact antibody from which they were derived) for antigen binding (i.e., specific binding to TIGIT). As used herein, the term “fragment” of an antibody molecule includes antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, for example, an antibody light chain variable domain (VL), an antibody heavy chain variable domain (VH), a single chain antibody (scFv), a F(ab′)2 fragment, a Fab fragment, an Fd fragment, an Fv fragment, and a single domain antibody fragment (DAb). Fragments can be obtained, e.g., via chemical or enzymatic treatment of an intact or complete antibody or antibody chain or by recombinant means.

As used herein the term “valency” refers to the number of potential target binding sites in a polypeptide. Each target binding site specifically binds one target molecule or specific site on a target molecule. When a polypeptide comprises more than one target binding site, each target binding site may specifically bind the same or different molecules (e.g., may bind to different ligands or different antigens, or different epitopes on the same antigen). The subject binding molecules have at least one binding site specific for TIGIT.

As used herein, the term “specificity” refers to the ability to bind (e.g., immunoreact with) a given target, e.g., TIGIT. A polypeptide may be monospecific and contain one or more binding sites which specifically bind a target or a polypeptide may be multispecific and contain two or more binding sites which specifically bind the same or different targets. In one embodiment, an antibody of the invention is specific for more than one target. For example, in one embodiment, a multispecific binding molecule of the invention binds TIGIT and a second target molecule. In this context, the second target molecule is a molecule other than TIGIT.

As used herein the term “synthetic” with respect to polypeptides includes polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence that is not naturally occurring. For example, non-naturally occurring polypeptides which are modified forms of naturally occurring polypeptides (e.g., comprising a mutation such as an addition, substitution or deletion) or which comprise a first amino acid sequence (which may or may not be naturally occurring) that is linked in a linear sequence of amino acids to a second amino acid sequence (which may or may not be naturally occurring) to which it is not naturally linked in nature.

As used herein the term “engineered” includes manipulation of nucleic acid or polypeptide molecules by synthetic means (e.g. by recombinant techniques, in vitro peptide synthesis, by enzymatic or chemical coupling of peptides or some combination of these techniques). Preferably, the antibodies of the invention have been engineered to improve one or more properties, such as antigen binding, stability/half-life or effector function.

As used herein, the term “modified antibody” includes synthetic forms of antibodies which are altered such that they are not naturally occurring, e.g., antibodies that comprise at least two heavy chain portions but not two complete heavy chains (such as, domain deleted antibodies or minibodies); multispecific forms of antibodies (e.g., bispecific, trispecific, etc.) altered to bind to two or more different antigens or to different epitopes on a single antigen; heavy chain molecules joined to scFv molecules and the like. ScFv molecules are known in the art and are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,019. In addition, the term “modified antibody” includes multivalent forms of antibodies (e.g., trivalent, tetravalent, etc., antibodies that bind to three or more copies of the same antigen). In another embodiment, a modified antibody of the invention is a fusion protein comprising at least one heavy chain portion lacking a CH2 domain and comprising a binding domain of a polypeptide comprising the binding portion of one member of a receptor ligand pair.

The term “modified antibody” may also be used herein to refer to amino acid sequence variants of a TIGIT antibody of the invention. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a TIGIT antibody of the invention may be modified to produce a variant TIGIT antibody which varies in amino acid sequence in comparison to the TIGIT antibody from which it was derived. For example, nucleotide or amino acid substitutions leading to conservative substitutions or changes at “non-essential” amino acid residues may be made (e.g., in CDR and/or framework residues). Amino acid substitutions can include replacement of one or more amino acids with a naturally occurring or non-natural amino acid.

“Antibody fragments” comprise a portion of a full length antibody, generally the antigen binding or variable domain thereof. Examples of antigen binding antibody fragments include Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, bi-specific Fab's, and Fv fragments, diabodies, linear antibodies, single-chain antibody molecules, a single chain variable fragment (scFv) and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments (see Holliger and Hudson, Nature Biotechnol. 23:1126-1136, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

As used herein, the term “affinity variant” refers to a variant antibody which exhibits one or more changes in amino acid sequence compared to a reference TIGIT antibody of the invention, wherein the affinity variant exhibits an altered affinity for TIGIT in comparison to the reference antibody. Preferably the affinity variant will exhibit improved affinity for TIGIT, as compared to the reference TIGIT antibody. The improvement may be apparent as a lower KD for TIGIT, or a slower off-rate for TIGIT. Affinity variants typically exhibit one or more changes in amino acid sequence in the CDRs, as compared to the reference TIGIT antibody. Such substitutions may result in replacement of the original amino acid present at a given position in the CDRs with a different amino acid residue, which may be a naturally occurring amino acid residue or a non-naturally occurring amino acid residue. The amino acid substitutions may be conservative or non-conservative.

As used herein, the term “affinity” or “binding affinity” should be understood based on the usual meaning in the art in the context of antibody binding, and reflects the strength and/or stability of binding between an antigen and a binding site on an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.

The anti-TIGIT antibodies provided herein are characterised by high affinity binding to human TIGIT. Binding affinity for TIGIT may be assessed using standard techniques known to persons of skill in the art.

Binding affinity may also be expressed as the dissociation constant for a particular antibody, or the KD. The lesser the KD value, the stronger the binding interaction between an antibody and its target antigen. In one embodiment, binding affinity of a Fab clone comprising a defined VH/VL pairing may be assessed by using methods known in the art, for example by the ForteBio™ system, by MSD-solution equilibrium titration (SET), or by surface plasmon resonance, e.g. using the Biacore™ system as described in the accompanying examples. Fab fragments of the antibodies according to the invention typically exhibit a KD for TIGIT measured by ForteBio™ in the range of from 1×10−10 to 5×10−8 M, optionally 7×10−10 to 4×10−8 M. A KD within this range may be taken as an indication that the Fab, and a corresponding bivalent mAb, exhibit high affinity binding to hTIGIT. Bivalent mAbs comprising two Fabs that (individually) exhibit KD for hTIGIT within the stated ranges are also taken to exhibit high affinity binding to hTIGIT. A MSD KD in the range of from 1×10−11 to 5×10−9, optionally 2×10−11 to 1×10−9 may be taken as an indication of high affinity binding to hTIGIT. Fab fragments of the antibodies according to the invention typically exhibit a KD for TIGIT measured by Biacore™ in the range of from 1×10−10 M to 1×10−9 M, optionally from 1×10−10 to 7×1010, optionally 2×10−10 to 7×10−10 M. A KD within this range may be taken as an indication that the Fab, and a corresponding bivalent mAb, exhibit high affinity binding to hTIGIT.

Binding affinity to human TIGIT can also be assessed using a cell-based system as described in the accompanying examples, in which mAbs are tested for binding to mammalian cells (cell lines or ex vivo cells that express TIGIT), for example using ELISA or flow cytometry. High affinity for TIGIT may be indicated, for example, by an EC50 of no more than 0.5 nM by flow cytometric (e.g. FACS) analysis such as that described in Example 10. In certain embodiments, antibodies of the invention exhibit a cell binding EC50 of no more than 0.5 nM, optionally no more than 0.2 nM. Cell-based determination of affinity expressed as EC50 is preferably determined using Jurkat cells expressing hTIGIT or primary CD8 T cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

As used herein “Treg cells”, or simply “Tregs”, refer to regulatory CD4+ T cells—that is, T cells that decrease the effector function(s) of conventional T cells (CD8 or CD4 T cells). Tregs can be identified according to methods known in the art, for example using flow cytometry to identify CD4 cells expressing high levels of CD25 and low levels or absence of CD127.

As summarised above, the invention relates, at least in part, to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that bind to TIGIT. The properties and characteristics of the TIGIT antibodies, and antibody fragments, according to the invention will now be described in further detail.

Anti-TIGIT Antibodies

In one aspect, the present invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human TIGIT and which comprises a heavy chain variable domain comprising a heavy chain CDR1 (HCDR1), a heavy chain CDR2 (HCDR2), and a heavy chain CDR3 (HCDR3) selected from the HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 sequences shown in FIG. 1 and which further comprises a light chain variable domain comprising a light chain CDR1 (LCDR1), a light chain CDR2 (LCDR2), and a light chain CDR3 (LCDR3) selected from the LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 sequences shown in FIG. 2. That is, the invention provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human TIGIT and which comprises a heavy chain variable domain comprising a heavy chain CDR1 (HCDR1), a heavy chain CDR2 (HCDR2), and a heavy chain CDR3 (HCDR3), wherein:

-   -   (i) HCDR1 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 271,         274, and 277;     -   (ii) HCDR2 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 272,         275, and 278;     -   (iii) HCDR3 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 273,         276, and 279;         and which further comprises a light chain variable domain         comprising a light chain CDR1 (LCDR1), a light chain CDR2         (LCDR2), and a light chain CDR3 (LCDR3), wherein     -   (iv) LCDR1 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85, 88, 283,         286, and 289;     -   (v) LCDR2 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         47, 50, 53, 56, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71, 74, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 284,         287, and 290; and     -   (vi) LCDR3 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos:         48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90, 285,         288, and 291.

Any given anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprising a VH domain paired with a VL domain to form a binding site for antigen (human TIGIT) will comprise a combination of 6 CDRs: variable heavy chain CDR3 (HCDR3), variable heavy chain CDR2 (HCDR2), variable heavy chain CDR1 (HCDR1), variable light chain CDR3 (LCDR3), variable light chain CDR2 (LCDR2) and variable light chain CDR1 (LCDR1). Although many different combinations of 6 CDRs selected from the CDR sequence groups listed above are permissible, and within the scope of the invention, certain combinations of 6 CDRs are particularly preferred; these being the “native” combinations within a single mAb exhibiting high affinity binding to human TIGIT. In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein the combination is selected from the group of combinations formed by the HCDRs from each antibody in FIG. 1 taken with the LCDRs from the corresponding antibody in FIG. 2.

That is, in certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein the combination is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (i) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:1, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:2,         HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:3, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:46,         LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:47, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ ID         NO:48;     -   (ii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:4, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:5,         HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:6, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:49,         LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:50, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ ID         NO:51;     -   (iii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:7, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:8, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:9, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:52, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:53, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:54;     -   (iv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:10, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:11, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:12, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:55, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:56, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:57;     -   (v) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:13, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:14, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:15, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:58, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:59, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:60;     -   (vi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:16, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:17, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:18, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:61, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:62, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:63;     -   (vii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:19, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:20, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:21, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:64, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:65, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:66;     -   (viii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:22, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:23, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:24, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:67, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:68, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:69;     -   (ix) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:25, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:26, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:27, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:70, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:71, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:72;     -   (x) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:28, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:29, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:30, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:73, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:74, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:75;     -   (xi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:31, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:32, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:33, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:76, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:77, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:78;     -   (xii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:34, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:35, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:36, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:79, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:80, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:81;     -   (xiii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:37, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:38, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:39, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:82, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:83, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:84;     -   (xiv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:40, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:41, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:42, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:85, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:86, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:87;     -   (xv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:43, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:44, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:45, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:88, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:89, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:90;     -   (xvi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:271, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:272, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:273, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:283, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:284, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:285;     -   (xvii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:274, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:275, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:276, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:286, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:287, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:288;     -   (xviii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:277, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:278, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:279, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:289, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:290, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:291.

In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a heavy chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID Nos: 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 327, 329, and 331 and amino acid sequences exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto; and optionally comprising a light chain variable domain having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID Nos: 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 328, 330, and 332 and amino acid sequences exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

Although all possible pairings of VH domains and VL domains selected from the VH and VL domain sequence groups listed above are permissible, and within the scope of the invention, certain combinations VH and VL are particularly preferred; these being the “native” combinations within a single mAb exhibiting high affinity binding to human TIGIT.

In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain, wherein the combination is selected from the group of combinations formed by the VH from each antibody in FIG. 5, or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, taken with the VL from the same antibody in FIG. 5, or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto. In certain embodiments the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain, wherein the combination is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (i) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:211 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:212;     -   (ii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:213 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:214;     -   (iii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:215 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:216;     -   (iv) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:217 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:218;     -   (v) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:219 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:220;     -   (vi) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:221 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:222;     -   (vii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:223 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:224;     -   (viii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:225 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:226;     -   (ix) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:227 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:228;     -   (x) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:229 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:230;     -   (xi) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:231 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:232;     -   (xii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:233 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:234;     -   (xiii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:235 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:236;     -   (xiv) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:237 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:238;     -   (xv) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:239 and a light chain variable domain         comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:240;     -   (xvi) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:327 or an amino acid sequence at least 90%         identical thereto and a light chain variable domain comprising         the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:328 or an amino acid         sequence at least 90% identical thereto;     -   (xvii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:329 or an amino acid sequence at least 90%         identical thereto and a light chain variable domain comprising         the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:330 or an amino acid         sequence at least 90% identical thereto; and     -   (xviii) a heavy chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO:331 or an amino acid sequence at least 90%         identical thereto and a light chain variable domain comprising         the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:332 or an amino acid         sequence at least 90% identical thereto.

For each of the specific VH/VL combinations listed above, it is also permissible, and within the scope of the invention, to combine a VH domain having an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97% or 99% identical to the recited VH domain sequence with a VL domain having an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97% or 99% identical to the recited VL domain sequence. Embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VH domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with a given reference VH sequence may nevertheless comprise heavy chain CDRs which are identical to HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 of the reference sequence whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions. Likewise, embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VL domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with a given reference sequence may nevertheless comprise light chain CDRs which are identical to LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 of the reference sequence whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions.

In the preceding paragraph, and elsewhere herein, the structure of the antibodies/antigen binding fragments is defined on the basis of % sequence identity with a recited reference sequence (with a given SEQ ID NO). In this context, % sequence identity between two amino acid sequences may be determined by comparing these two sequences aligned in an optimum manner and in which the amino acid sequence to be compared can comprise additions or deletions with respect to the reference sequence for an optimum alignment between these two sequences. The percentage of identity is calculated by determining the number of identical positions for which the amino acid residue is identical between the two sequences, by dividing this number of identical positions by the total number of positions in the comparison window and by multiplying the result obtained by 100 in order to obtain the percentage of identity between these two sequences. Typically, the comparison window with correspond to the full length of the sequence being compared. For example, it is possible to use the BLAST program, “BLAST 2 sequences” (Tatusova et al, “Blast 2 sequences—a new tool for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences”, FEMS Microbiol Lett. 174:247-250) available on the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool page at The National Center for Biotechnology Information website, the parameters used being those given by default (in particular for the parameters “open gap penalty”: 5, and “extension gap penalty”: 2; the matrix chosen being, for example, the matrix “BLOSUM 62” proposed by the program), the percentage of identity between the two sequences to be compared being calculated directly by the program. Determining sequence identity of a query sequence to a reference sequence is within the ability of the skilled person and can be performed using commercially available analysis software such as BLAST™.

In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment may comprise a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 17, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 18, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 62, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 63.

In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 221 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 222 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto. In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain and light chain variable domain are the VH and VL domain of antibody 31282 provided herein.

Antibody 31282 provided herein is derived from antibody 29489. Antibody 31282 was produced from 29489 by an M-T substitution at amino acid 116 in VH FR4 region. This substitution is understood to remove a potential oxidation site of the antibody and thereby improve stability without affecting function. Antibodies 31282 and 29489 thus share identical HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 sequences, differing only in the framework.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments of the antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 219 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 220 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto. In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain and light chain variable domain are the VH and VL domain of antibody 29489 provided herein.

Embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VH domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 221 or 219 may nevertheless comprise heavy chain CDRs which are identical to HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:221 and 219 (SEQ ID NOs:16, 17 and 18, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions. Likewise, embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VL domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 222 or 220 may nevertheless comprise light chain CDRs which are identical to LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:222 and 220 (SEQ ID NOs:61, 62 and 63, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions.

Exemplary TIGIT antibodies described herein and having the sequences set out in FIG. 1-5 were developed from 5 parent antibody clones. Table 2 summarises the lineage of the antibodies described herein. Naïve parent human anti-TIGIT antibodies were expressed in yeast and those exhibiting high functional activity against TIGIT were selected (grey rows, named 26 . . . ), and underwent affinity maturation. Selected affinity-matured antibodies then were expressed in mammalian cells (white rows beneath each parent, named 29 . . . or 3 . . . ). In addition, antibody 31282 was produced from 29489 by an M-T substitution at amino acid 116 in VH FR4 region. This substitution is understood to remove a potential oxidation site of the antibody and thereby improve stability without affecting function. In addition, antibody 31288 was produced from 29494 by a V-L substitution at amino acid 2 in VH FR1 region and by an M-T substitution at amino acid 120 in VH FR4 region. The V-L substitution is understood to restore the sequence of VH4-39 germline and the M-T substitution to remove a potential oxidation site of the antibody and thereby improve stability without affecting function.

TABLE 2 Antibody VH CDR3 Optimization VH clone Lineage Method Germline 26518 26518 Parent VH3-07 29478 26518 H1/H2/H3 VH3-30 26452 26452 Parent VH1-46 29487 26452 H1/H2/H3 VH1-46 29489 26452 H1/H2/H3 VH1-46 31282 29489 M116T amino acid VH1-46 mutation 26486 26486 Parent VH4-0B 29499 26486 H1/H2/H3 VH4-39 29494 26486 H1/H2/H3 VH4-39 31288 29494 Germline reversion + VH4-39 M116T amino acid mutation 32919 31288 L1/L2/L3 VH4-39 32931 31288 L1/L2/L3 VH4-39 26521 26521 Parent VH1-69 29513 26521 H1/H2/H3 VH1-69 26493 26493 Parent VH3-09 29520 26493 H1/H2/H3 VH3-09 29523 26493 H1/H2/H3 VH3-33 29527 26493 H1/H2/H3 VH3-30 26432 26432 Parent VH1-69 32959 26432 H1/H2/H3 VH1-69

The second generation antibodies exhibit higher affinity than the respective parent antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides anti-TIGIT antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof wherein the VH domain is derived from a human V region germline sequence selected from: VH3-07, VH3-30, VH1-46, VH4-0B, VH4-39, VH1-69, VH3-09, VH3-33, VH3-30. In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises a VH domain derived from human V region germline VH1-46.

A VH domain is “derived from” a particular V region germline sequence if the sequence of the heavy chain variable region is more likely derived from the given germline than from any other.

TIGIT Epitope

The invention also provides an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to human TIGIT at an epitope comprising residues Q56 and 1109. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds human TIGIT at least at residues Q56, N58 and 1109. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds human TIGIT at an epitope comprising residues Q56, N58 and 1109 and optionally one or more of residues E60, 168, L73 and H76. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds human TIGIT at an epitope comprising residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109.

In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds to human TIGIT at an epitope consisting of TIGIT residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof binds the same epitope as antibody 31282.

Where the antibody or antigen binding fragment binds an epitope of human TIGIT comprising the indicated TIGIT residues, the antibody binds each of these residues and optionally other residues of TIGIT. Where the antibody or antigen binding fragment binds an epitope of human TIGIT consisting of TIGIT residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109, the antibody binds each of these residues and no other residues of TIGIT.

An antibody or antigen binding fragment binds to human TIGIT at a given epitope if it contacts the indicated TIGIT amino acid residue(s) when bound to TIGIT. As used herein, an antibody contacts a TIGIT residue if, when in the protein complex formed by antibody-TIGIT binding, the residue meets each of the following criteria: (i) it has a calculated binding free energy contribution greater than 0.3 kcal/mol, (ii) it has an experimental averaged B-factor lower than the mean B-factor of all residues in the X-ray structure, (iii) it makes at least 3 pairs of heavy-atom interatomic contacts with antibody atoms at a distance less than or equal to 4.0 Angstroms, (iv) it does not make only solvent-exposed hydrogen bond or ionic interactions, (v) if it is a non-aromatic polar residue (Asn, Gln, Ser, Thr, Asp, Glu, Lys, or Arg), it makes at least one hydrogen bond or ionic interaction with the antibody. Calculation of binding free energy would be within the abilities of the skilled person. Preferably binding free energy is calculated using an empirical force field, preferably FoldX. FoldX would be familiar to the skilled person and is publicly available at foldxsuite.crg.eu/. Calculation of binding free energy using FoldX is also described in Guerois et al. J. Mol. Biol. 2002; 320(2):369-87, which is incorporated herein by reference. As would be familiar to the skilled person, heavy atoms are all non-hydrogen atoms (including C, N, O, S).

Accordingly, the invention also provides an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which contacts human TIGIT at least at residues Q56 and 1109. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof contacts human TIGIT at least at residues Q56, N58 and 1109. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof contacts human TIGIT at least at residues Q56, N58 and 1109 and optionally one or more of residues E60, 168, L73 and H76. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof contacts human TIGIT at least at residues Q56, N58, E60, 168 L73, H76, and 1109.

In certain such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof contacts human TIGIT only at residues Q56, N58, E60, 168, L73, H76, and 1109.

Means for determining which residues of TIGIT are contacted by an antibody or antigen-binding fragment are familiar to the skilled person, including X-Ray crystallography, such as that described in Example 23.

Also provided is an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to the same epitope as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment described herein.

Antibody Subtypes

TIGIT antibodies can take various different embodiments in which both a VH domain and a VL domain are present. The term “antibody” herein is used in the broadest sense and encompasses, but is not limited to, monoclonal antibodies (including full length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), so long as they exhibit the appropriate immunological specificity for a human TIGIT protein. The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes) on the antigen, each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant or epitope on the antigen.

In non-limiting embodiments, the TIGIT antibodies provided herein may comprise CH1 domains and/or CL domains, the amino acid sequence of which is fully or substantially human. If the TIGIT antibody is intended for human therapeutic use, it is typical for the entire constant region of the antibody, or at least a part thereof, to have fully or substantially human amino acid sequence. Therefore, one or more or any combination of the CH1 domain, hinge region, CH2 domain, CH3 domain and CL domain (and CH4 domain if present) may be fully or substantially human with respect to its amino acid sequence. Such antibodies may be of any human isotype, with human IgG4 and IgG1 being particularly preferred.

Advantageously, the CH1 domain, hinge region, CH2 domain, CH3 domain and CL domain (and CH4 domain if present) may all have fully or substantially human amino acid sequence. In the context of the constant region of a humanised or chimeric antibody, or an antibody fragment, the term “substantially human” refers to an amino acid sequence identity of at least 90%, or at least 92%, or at least 95%, or at least 97%, or at least 99% with a human constant region. The term “human amino acid sequence” in this context refers to an amino acid sequence which is encoded by a human immunoglobulin gene, which includes germline, rearranged and somatically mutated genes. Such antibodies may be of any human isotype, with human IgG4 and IgG1 being particularly preferred.

Also provided are TIGIT antibodies comprising constant domains of “human” sequence which have been altered, by one or more amino acid additions, deletions or substitutions with respect to the human sequence.

The TIGIT antibodies provided herein may be of any isotype. Antibodies intended for human therapeutic use will typically be of the IgA, IgD, IgE IgG, IgM type, often of the IgG type, in which case they can belong to any of the four sub-classes IgG1, IgG2a and b, IgG3 or IgG4. Within each of these sub-classes it is permitted to make one or more amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions within the Fc portion, or to make other structural modifications, for example to enhance or reduce Fc-dependent functionalities.

In certain preferred embodiments, the TIGIT antibodies provided herein are IgG antibodies. In certain embodiments, antibodies according to the invention are IgG1 antibodies. In certain alternate embodiments, antibodies according to the invention are IgG4 antibodies.

IgG4 antibodies are known to undergo Fab arm exchange (FAE), which can result in unpredictable pharmacodynamic properties of an IgG4 antibody. FAE has been shown to be prevented by the S228P mutation in the hinge region (Silva et al. J Biol Chem. 2015 Feb. 27; 290(9): 5462-5469). Therefore, in certain such embodiments wherein an antibody according to the invention is an IgG4 antibody, the antibody comprises the mutation S228P—that is, a serine to proline mutation at position 228 (according to EU numbering).

In non-limiting embodiments, it is contemplated that one or more amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions may be made within the constant region of the heavy and/or the light chain, particularly within the Fc region. Amino acid substitutions may result in replacement of the substituted amino acid with a different naturally occurring amino acid, or with a non-natural or modified amino acid. Other structural modifications are also permitted, such as for example changes in glycosylation pattern (e.g. by addition or deletion of N- or O-linked glycosylation sites). Depending on the intended use of the TIGIT antibody, it may be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention with respect to its binding properties to Fc receptors, for example to modulate effector function.

In certain embodiments, the TIGIT antibodies may comprise an Fc region of a given antibody isotype, for example human IgG1, which is modified in order to reduce or substantially eliminate one or more antibody effector functions naturally associated with that antibody isotype.

As demonstrated herein, antibodies with cell lytic effector functions can be effective at reducing Treg cell populations but, surprisingly, without adversely affecting conventional effector T cell populations. This selectivity can allow more potent inhibition of the regulatory effect of Tregs whilst retaining anti-tumour effector T cells.

Therefore, in certain alternative embodiments, the TIGIT antibodies retain one or more of the antibody effector functions naturally associated with that antibody isotype. For example, the TIGIT antibodies of the invention may be IgG1 antibodies that retain ADCC functionality. In further embodiments, the TIGIT antibodies may comprise an Fc region of a given antibody isotype, for example human IgG1, which is modified in order to enhance one or more antibody effector functions naturally associated with that antibody isotype. In this context, “antibody effector functions” include one or more or all of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).

In certain embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody is a modified antibody.

In certain embodiments is provided a bispecific antibody comprising a first arm specific for TIGIT and a second arm specific for a second target. In preferred embodiments the second target is an immune checkpoint molecule. In certain embodiments, the second target is OX40. In certain embodiments, the second target is ICOS. In certain embodiments, the second target is GITR. In certain embodiments, the second target is 4-1BB. In certain embodiments, the second target is PD-1. In certain embodiments, the second target is PD-L1. In certain embodiments, the first arm specific of TIGIT comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 sequences of an antibody according to the invention. In certain embodiments the first arm comprises comprise a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 17, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 18, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 62, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 63.

Monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that “cross-compete” with the TIGIT antibodies disclosed herein are those that bind human TIGIT at site(s) that are identical to, or overlapping with, the site(s) at which the present TIGIT antibodies bind. Competing monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof can be identified, for example, via an antibody competition assay. For example, a sample of purified or partially purified human TIGIT can be bound to a solid support. Then, an antibody compound or antigen binding fragment thereof of the present invention and a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof suspected of being able to compete with such invention antibody compound are added. One of the two molecules is labelled. If the labelled compound and the unlabelled compound bind to separate and discrete sites on TIGIT, the labelled compound will bind to the same level whether or not the suspected competing compound is present. However, if the sites of interaction are identical or overlapping, the unlabelled compound will compete, and the amount of labelled compound bound to the antigen will be lowered. If the unlabelled compound is present in excess, very little, if any, labelled compound will bind.

For purposes of the present invention, competing monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof are those that decrease the binding of the present antibody compounds to TIGIT by about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 99%. Details of procedures for carrying out such competition assays are well known in the art and can be found, for example, in Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988, 567-569, 1988, ISBN 0-87969-314-2. Such assays can be made quantitative by using purified antibodies. A standard curve is established by titrating one antibody against itself, i.e., the same antibody is used for both the label and the competitor. The capacity of an unlabelled competing monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to inhibit the binding of the labelled molecule to the plate is titrated. The results are plotted, and the concentrations necessary to achieve the desired degree of binding inhibition are compared.

Antibodies of the Invention Exhibit High Affinity for TIGIT and Compete with CD155

In certain embodiments, the antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention exhibit high affinity for human TIGIT. In certain embodiments, Fab fragments of the antibodies according to the invention exhibit a KD for TIGIT measured by ForteBio™ in the range of from 1×10−10 to 5×10−8 M, optionally 7×10−10 to 4×10−8 M. In certain embodiments antibodies according to the invention exhibit MSD KD in the range of from 1×10−11 to 5×10−9 M, optionally 2×10−11 to 1×10−9. In certain embodiments, Fab fragments of the antibodies according to the invention exhibit a KD for TIGIT measured by Biacore™ in the range of from 1×10−10 M to 1×10−9 M, optionally 1×10−10 to 7×10−10 M, optionally 2×10−10 to 7×10−10 M.

TABLE 6 ForteBio Fab KD ForteBio ForteBio ForteBio MSD - Biacore - Cell binding Cell binding Biotinylated Fab KD Fab KD IgG KD monovalent monovalent Jurkat Human Jurkat Mouse Human Mouse Cyno Human KD (M), KD (M), TIGIT FON TIGIT FON TIGIT HIS (M) TIGIT-Fc (M) TIGIT-Fc (M) TIGIT-Fc (M) human human (Fold Over (Fold Over Clone Monovalent Monovalent Monovalent Avid TIGIT-His TIGIT-His Negative) Negative) 26518 1.24E−09 N.B. 4.47E−09 6.30E−10 154 233 29478 7.03E−10 9.18E−08 1.26E−09 5.27E−10 182 500 26452 5.08E−09 N.B. N.B. 4.74E−10 164 47 29487 2.08E−09 N.B. 1.55E−07 3.96E−10 161 95 29489 8.81E−10 N.B. 3.52E−08 3.53E−10 1.1E−10 2.48E−10 162 187 31282 1.34E−09 N.B. 3.77E−08 2.94E−10 26486 2.19E−08 N.B. N.B. 5.89E−10 143 199 29499 1.66E−09 2.55E−08 1.45E−08 3.19E−10 1.9E−11 164 541 29494 1.66E−09 5.36E−08 1.86E−08 3.76E−10 7.0E−11 2.70E−10 164 511 31288 2.09E−09 2.51E−08 1.92E−10 32919 1.42E−09 6.57E−09 680 32931 1.18E−09 1.97E−09 741 29499 1.66E−09 2.55E−08 1.45E−08 3.19E−10 1.9E−11 164 541 26521 9.87E−09 N.B. 1.49E−07 5.41E−10 146 218 29513 7.74E−10 8.55E−08 9.56E−09 3.92E−10 2.5E−11 156 406 26493 4.06E−08 2.67E−08 N.B. 1.49E−09 80 463 29520 1.31E−09 1.95E−09 2.68E−09 3.84E−10 2.1E−10 7.16E−10 166 535 29523 3.84E−09 1.89E−08 2.79E−08 5.31E−10 1.7E−09 150 502 29527 1.33E−09 2.02E−08 1.76E−08 3.50E−10 6.4E−10 142 414 26432 1.31E−08 N.B. N.B. 4.62E−09

As demonstrated in the Examples, antibody 31282 exhibits surprisingly high affinity for TIGIT expressed on transgenic cells. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment provided herein exhibits a binding EC50 for human TIGIT of less than 0.5 nM. In preferred such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits a binding EC50 of from about 0.05 to about 0.4 nM, preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.3 nM, preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.2 nM, preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.15 nM. In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits a binding EC50 for human TIGIT of about 0.1 nM. In preferred embodiments, the antibody comprises the CDRs of antibody 31282. Preferably the EC50 is determined using Jurkat cells expressing human TIGIT, as described in Example 18. In certain embodiments, antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention cross-react with mouse TIGIT and/or cynomolgus TIGIT.

Since the “29 . . . ” second generation antibodies are affinity matured progeny of the highly functional parent antibodies, it is expected that they will exhibit at least similar or equivalent functional properties as the parent antibodies, and vice versa.

As described herein, in certain embodiments an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the invention has equivalent affinity for TIGIT expressed by CD8 T cells and expressed by Treg cells. As used herein, an antibody or antigen binding fragment has “equivalent affinity” for CD8 T cells and Treg cells if the affinity for CD8 T cells is in the range of 0.5-1.5 times that of the affinity for Treg cells. For example, an antibody having equivalent affinity for CD8 T cells and Treg cells which exhibits an affinity for Treg cells of 0.03 nM would exhibit an affinity for CD8 T cells in the range of 0.015-0.045 nM.

Table 3 provides a summary of the affinity properties of the anti-TIGIT antibodies of the invention, with grey cells indicating parent antibody clones, with second and third generation antibodies of each lineage shown immediately below the respective parent antibody (see also Table 2).

As demonstrated in the Examples, antibody 31282 exhibits surprisingly high affinity for TIGIT expressed on human primary CD8+ T cells. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment provided herein exhibits a binding EC50 for human TIGIT of less than 0.5 nM. In preferred such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits a binding EC50 of from about 0.05 to about 0.4 nM, preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.3 nM. In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits a binding EC50 for human TIGIT of about 0.2 nM. In preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises the CDRs of antibody 31282. Preferably the EC50 is determined using CD8+ T cells from human PBMCs, preferably from a healthy individual, as described in Example 18.

As demonstrated in the accompanying examples, in certain embodiments antibodies or antigen binding fragment of the invention exhibit high affinity for TIGIT-expressing CD8 T cells and high affinity for TIGIT-expressing Treg cells. In certain embodiments, antibodies or antigen binding fragment of the invention exhibit an affinity for TIGIT-expressing CD8 T cells and TIGIT-expressing Treg cells characterised by an EC50 less than 0.5 nM, preferably less than 0.3 nM, preferably less than 0.2 nM. In certain embodiments, the antibodies or antigen binding fragment of the invention exhibit equivalent affinity for TIGIT-expressing CD8 T cells and for TIGIT-expressing Treg cells.

Antibodies according to the invention (e.g. antibody 31282) exhibit surprisingly high affinity for CD8+ T cells from cancer patients. This is particularly advantageous, since increasing effector activity of T cells from cancer patients by inhibition of TIGIT signalling can lead to more effective tumour control. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment provided herein exhibits a binding EC50 of less than 0.5 nM for human TIGIT on human CD8+ T cells from cancer patients. In preferred such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits a binding EC50 of from about 0.05 to about 0.4 nM, preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.3 nM. In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits an EC50 for human TIGIT of from about 0.1 nM to about 0.2 nM. In preferred embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises the CDRs of antibody 31282. Preferably the EC50 is determined using CD8+ T cells from PBMCs taken from a patient with cancer, as described in Example 18.

As demonstrated in the accompanying Examples, in certain embodiments antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention compete with CD155/PVR for TIGIT binding. In certain embodiments, an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the invention exhibits competition with CD155 characterised by an IC50 of 0.2 nM or less, preferably 0.1 nM or less. In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits competition with CD155 characterised by an IC50 of about 0.05 nM or less. In certain preferred embodiments, the exhibited IC50 is about 0.05 nM. Without wishing to be bound by theory, competition of antibodies with CD155 for TIGIT binding is expected to decrease levels of CD155-induced TIGIT-mediated signalling, thereby increasing levels of effector T cell activation.

The invention further provides “affinity variants” of the antibodies described herein.

The invention also provides an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which cross-competes for binding to human TIGIT with an antibody or antigen-binding fragment described herein.

Antibodies of the Invention Promote Pro-Inflammatory T Cell Activity

Antibodies according to the invention (e.g. antibody 31282) are surprisingly effective at promoting pro-inflammatory activity of CD8+ T cells. As demonstrated in the Examples, antibodies or antigen binding fragments according to the invention (especially 31282) are more effective at promoting pro-inflammatory CD8+ T cell activity (indicated by IFNg release) than comparator anti-TIGIT antibodies (see FIG. 24). This improved efficacy versus comparator antibodies was demonstrated in TIGIT-expressing transgenic Jurkat reporter cells and in primary CD8 T cells. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment provided herein exhibits an activation EC50 of less than 5 nM for human TIGIT expressed by Jurkat reporter cells as described in Example 19. In preferred such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits an EC50 of from about 1 nM to about 4 nM, preferably from about 2 nM to about 4 nM.

In certain embodiments, an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment provided herein exhibits an activation EC50 of less than 0.4 nM for CD8 T cells from healthy individuals as described in Example 19. CD8 T cell activity (i.e. pro-inflammatory activity) may be measured by inflammatory cytokine (e.g. IFNg) production. In preferred such embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment exhibits an EC50 of from about 0.05 nM to about 0.4 nM, preferably from about 0.1 nM to about 0.2 nM. Preferably the EC50 is determined using CD8+ T cells from PBMCs taken from a healthy individual, as described in Example 19.

It is additionally and surprisingly demonstrated in the accompanying Examples that the provided anti-TIGIT antibodies are effective at increasing the activity of gamma-delta (γδ, or g/d) T cells (i.e. T cells expressing the γδ TCR subunits, as opposed to the conventional αβ TCR subunits). Such γδ T cells form a distinct and important component of the immune system and the ability of the antibodies provided herein to promote activity of these cells highlights the utility of the antibodies.

Accordingly, also provided herein is a method of promoting γδ T cell activity comprising contacting a population of γδ T cells with an anti-TIGIT antibody. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vitro. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vivo in a human subject. In certain such embodiments the human subject has cancer. In certain embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 sequences of an antibody according to the invention. In certain embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 17, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 18, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 62, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 63.

Selective Depletion of T-REG Cells

As demonstrated herein, anti-TIGIT antibodies are able to selectively deplete TIGIT-expressing Treg cells. That is, anti-TIGIT antibodies reduce the proportion of TIGIT-expressing Treg cells relative to the total population of T cells to a greater extent than they reduce the proportion of effector or memory CD4 or CD8 T cells.

In certain embodiments, the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof selectively depletes TIGIT-expressing Treg cells.

This selective depletion of TIGIT-expressing Treg cells can be mediated via selective lysis of the TIGIT-expressing Tregs (e.g. by ADCC or CDC (see FIGS. 20, 21, and 25). TIGIT-expressing Tregs are understood to be the more potent regulatory cells than Tregs not expressing TIGIT. Without wishing to be bound by theory, selective depletion by lysis of TIGIT-expressing Treg cells is expected to increase T cell effector function (e.g. T-cell mediated cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokine release) by depleting the overall number of Treg cells but also depleting those Treg cells exhibiting the more potent regulatory function. This increased T cell effector function is demonstrated in FIG. 24.

Therefore, in certain embodiments, antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention selectively lyse TIGIT-expressing Treg cells.

Selective depletion of Treg cells expressing TIGIT can also be mediated by inducing internalisation of the TIGIT receptor such that it is no longer expressed at the cell membrane. Without wishing to be bound by theory, by inducing TIGIT internalisation such that TIGIT+ Treg cells become TIGIT− Treg cells, the regulatory function of these cells is expected to become less potent (since TIGIT+ Tregs are more potent regulatory cells). As a result of the receptor internalisation and subsequent drop in regulatory potency of these Tregs, T cell effector function is expected to increase. Therefore, in certain embodiments, antibodies or antigen binding fragments of the invention inhibit suppressive activity of TIGIT-expressing Treg cells, preferably by inducing internalisation of TIGIT by TIGIT-expressing Treg cells.

It is particularly advantageous for anti-TIGIT antibodies according to the invention to exhibit high affinity for CD8 T cells and Treg cells and also to exhibit selective depletion of Treg cells, thereby promoting T cell effector function via two mechanisms. Retention of antibody effector function (e.g. ADCC, CDC) results in effective depletion of the Tregs and the selectivity means the antibody effector function does not result in unwanted depletion of effector T cells. The selectivity is particularly surprising since previous attempts to produce an anti-TIGIT antibody have sought to eliminate antibody effector function in order to avoid lysis of effector T cells expressing TIGIT. Moreover, because TIGIT antibodies of the invention exhibit affinity for effector T cells (e.g. CD8 T cells), TIGIT-mediated signalling in these cells can be inhibited by competition for CD155 binding and/or inducing internalisation of TIGIT on effector T cells. In combination, these effects of the antibodies of the invention can result in significant upregulation of T cell effector function.

Further surprising advantageous properties exhibited by antibodies and antigen binding fragments according to the invention include increasing the T cell effector function (e.g. release of proinflammatory cytokines) of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Exposure to the tumour microenvironment can lead to TILs exhibiting anergic or so-called “exhausted” phenotypes, possibly due to antigen over-exposure and/or an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Enhancing the effector function of TILs is desirable as it is these cells that are infiltrating the tumour itself and thus positioned at a locus best-suited to reduce tumour size or growth; however due to the anergic or exhausted phenotype of many TILs, it is expected to be difficult to potentiate their effector function. The increase in proinflammatory response from TILs following exposure to antibodies of the invention is therefore surprising and indicates the antibodies may be particularly effective therapeutic agents.

Still further surprising advantageous properties exhibited by antibodies and antigen binding fragments include the ability to increase the pro-inflammatory activity of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells. The ability to promote activity of non-conventional T cells such as γδ T cells has not previously been reported for an anti-TIGIT antibody and offers the potential to treat diseases other than cancer in which γδ T cells are known to be important. For example, γδ T cells have been reported to be involved in the response to pathogenic infection (bacterial, viral (e.g. CMV), fungal) as well as to have a role in protecting from autoimmune diseases. In addition, the surprising ability to promote activity of non-conventional T cells provides further potency to the anti-tumour effects of the antibodies.

In a further aspect is provided a method for selectively depleting Treg cells from a population of T cells, comprising contacting the population of T cells with an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, whereby the anti-TIGIT antibody selectively depletes the population of Treg cells. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vitro. In certain embodiments the method is performed in vivo in a human subject. In certain such embodiments the human subject has cancer. In certain embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 sequences of an antibody according to the invention. In certain embodiments the anti-TIGIT antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 17, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 18, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 62, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 63.

As demonstrated in the accompanying examples, the present invention also provides anti-TIGIT antibodies that do not compete with CD155/PVR for TIGIT binding. Therefore, in a further aspect, the invention provides a human TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that does not compete with CD155/PVR for human TIGIT binding. In certain such embodiments, Fab fragments of the CD155 non-competitive anti-TIGIT antibodies according to the invention exhibit a KD for TIGIT measured by ForteBio™ in the range of from 5×10−9 to 5×10−8 M, optionally 1×10−8 to 3×10−8 M.

In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody may comprise a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 280, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 281, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 282, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 292, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 293, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 294. In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 333 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 334 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

Embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VH domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 333 may nevertheless comprise heavy chain CDRs which are identical to HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:333 (SEQ ID NOs:280, 281 and 282, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions. Likewise, embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VL domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 334 may nevertheless comprise light chain CDRs which are identical to LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:334 (SEQ ID NOs:292, 293 and 294, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions.

In certain preferred embodiments, the antibody may comprise a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain wherein HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 353, HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 354, HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 355, and LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 356, LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 357, and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 358. In certain such embodiments, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 367 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto, and the light chain variable domain may comprise the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 368 or an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity thereto.

Embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VH domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 367 may nevertheless comprise heavy chain CDRs which are identical to HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:367 (SEQ ID NOs:353, 354 and 355, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions. Likewise, embodiments wherein the amino acid sequence of the VL domain exhibits less than 100% sequence identity with the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 368 may nevertheless comprise light chain CDRs which are identical to LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:368 (SEQ ID NOs:356, 357 and 358, respectively) whilst exhibiting amino acid sequence variation within the framework regions.

Polynucleotides, Vectors and Expression Systems

The invention also provides polynucleotide molecules encoding the TIGIT antibodies of the invention, also expression vectors containing a nucleotide sequences which encode the TIGIT antibodies of the invention operably linked to regulatory sequences which permit expression of the antigen binding polypeptide in a host cell or cell-free expression system, and a host cell or cell-free expression system containing this expression vector.

Polynucleotide molecules encoding the TIGIT antibodies of the invention include, for example, recombinant DNA molecules. The terms “nucleic acid”, “polynucleotide” or a “polynucleotide molecule” as used herein interchangeably and refer to any DNA or RNA molecule, either single- or double-stranded and, if single-stranded, the molecule of its complementary sequence. In discussing nucleic acid molecules, a sequence or structure of a particular nucleic acid molecule may be described herein according to the normal convention of providing the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction. In some embodiments of the invention, nucleic acids or polynucleotides are “isolated”. This term, when applied to a nucleic acid molecule, refers to a nucleic acid molecule that is separated from sequences with which it is immediately contiguous in the naturally occurring genome of the organism in which it originated. For example, an “isolated nucleic acid” may comprise a DNA molecule inserted into a vector, such as a plasmid or virus vector, or integrated into the genomic DNA of a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell or non-human host organism. When applied to RNA, the term “isolated polynucleotide” refers primarily to an RNA molecule encoded by an isolated DNA molecule as defined above. Alternatively, the term may refer to an RNA molecule that has been purified/separated from other nucleic acids with which it would be associated in its natural state (i.e., in cells or tissues). An isolated polynucleotide (either DNA or RNA) may further represent a molecule produced directly by biological or synthetic means and separated from other components present during its production.

For recombinant production of a TIGIT antibody according to the invention, a recombinant polynucleotide encoding it may be prepared (using standard molecular biology techniques) and inserted into a replicable vector for expression in a chosen host cell, or a cell-free expression system. Suitable host cells may be prokaryote, yeast, or higher eukaryote cells, specifically mammalian cells. Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen. Virol. 36:59-74, 1977); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL 10); Chinese hamster ovary cells/-DHFR (CHO, Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216, 1980; or CHO derived clones like CHO-K1, ATCC CCL-61, Kao and Puck, Genetics of somatic mammalian cells, VII. Induction and isolation of nutritional mutants in Chinese hamster cells, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 60:1275-1281, 1968); mouse sertoli cells (TM4; Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-252, 1980); mouse myeloma cells SP2/0-AG14 (ATCC CRL 1581; ATCC CRL 8287) or NSO (HPA culture collections no. 85110503); monkey kidney cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1587); human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA, ATCC CCL 2); canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL 34); buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A, ATCC CRL 1442); human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL 75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); mouse mammary tumour (MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51); TRI cells (Mather et al., Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci. 383:44-68, 1982); MRC 5 cells; FS4 cells; and a human hepatoma line (Hep G2), as well as DSM's PERC-6 cell line. Expression vectors suitable for use in each of these host cells are also generally known in the art.

It should be noted that the term “host cell” generally refers to a cultured cell line. Whole human beings into which an expression vector encoding an antigen binding polypeptide according to the invention has been introduced are explicitly excluded from the definition of a “host cell”.

In an important aspect, the invention also provides a method of producing a TIGIT antibody of the invention which comprises culturing a host cell (or cell free expression system) containing polynucleotide (e.g. an expression vector) encoding the TIGIT antibody under conditions which permit expression of the TIGIT antibody, and recovering the expressed TIGIT antibody. This recombinant expression process can be used for large scale production of TIGIT antibodies according to the invention, including monoclonal antibodies intended for human therapeutic use. Suitable vectors, cell lines and production processes for large scale manufacture of recombinant antibodies suitable for in vivo therapeutic use are generally available in the art and will be well known to the skilled person.

Therefore, in accordance with the invention is provided an isolated polynucleotide or combination of isolated polynucleotides encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein the combination is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (i) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:         17, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:18, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:61, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:62, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:63;     -   (ii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:4, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:5,         HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:6, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:49,         LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:50, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ ID         NO:51;     -   (iii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:7, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:8, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:9, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:52, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:53, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:54;     -   (iv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:10, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:11, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:12, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:55, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:56, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:57;     -   (v) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:13, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:14, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:15, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:58, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:59, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:60;     -   (vi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:1, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:2,         HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:3, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:46,         LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:47, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ ID         NO:48;     -   (vii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:19, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:20, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:21, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:64, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:65, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:66;     -   (viii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:22, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:23, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:24, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:67, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:68, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:69;     -   (ix) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:25, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:26, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:27, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:70, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:71, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:72;     -   (x) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:28, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:29, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:30, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:73, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:74, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:75;     -   (xi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:31, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:32, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:33, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:76, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:77, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:78;     -   (xii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:34, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:35, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:36, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:79, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:80, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:81;     -   (xiii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:37, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:38, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:39, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:82, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:83, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:84;     -   (xiv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:40, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:41, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:42, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:85, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:86, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:87;     -   (xv) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:43, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:44, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:45, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:88, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:89, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:90;     -   (xvi) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:271, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:272, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:273, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:283, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:284, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:285;     -   (xvii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:274, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:275, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:276, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:286, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:287, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:288;     -   (xviii) HCDR1 comprising SEQ ID NO:277, HCDR2 comprising SEQ ID         NO:278, HCDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO:279, LCDR1 comprising SEQ ID         NO:289, LCDR2 comprising SEQ ID NO:290, and LCDR3 comprising SEQ         ID NO:291.

In certain embodiments is provided an isolated polynucleotide or combination of isolated polynucleotides encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 wherein:

-   -   (i) HCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 16, HCDR2         comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 17, HCDR3 comprises or         consists of SEQ ID NO:18, LCDR1 comprises or consists of SEQ ID         NO:61, LCDR2 comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO:62, and LCDR3         comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO:63.

Also in accordance with the invention there is provided an isolated polynucleotide or combination of isolated polynucleotides encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment described herein. In certain embodiments is provided an isolated polynucleotide encoding antibody 31282 provided herein, or an antigen binding fragment thereof.

Also, in accordance with the invention there is provided an isolated polynucleotide encoding a VH and/or a VL domain of an anti-TIGIT antibody, wherein the polynucleotide comprises one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 241-270, 335-342 and 369-370. In certain embodiments, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 251 and/or a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 252. In certain embodiments where the polynucleotide comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 251 and a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 252, the sequences are contiguous. In certain embodiments where the polynucleotide comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 251 and a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 252, the sequences are not contiguous.

Also, in accordance with the invention there is provided an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide according to the invention operably linked to regulatory sequences which permit expression of the antigen binding polypeptide in a host cell or cell-free expression system.

Also, in accordance with the invention there is provided a host cell or cell-free expression system containing an expression vector according to the invention.

Also, in accordance with the invention there is provided a method of producing a recombinant antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which comprises culturing the host cell or cell free expression system according to the invention under conditions which permit expression of the antibody or antigen binding fragment and recovering the expressed antibody or antigen binding fragment.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment according to the invention formulated with one or more a pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. Such compositions may include one or a combination of (e.g., two or more different) TIGIT antibodies. Techniques for formulating antibodies for human therapeutic use are well known in the art and are reviewed, for example, in Wang et al., Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 96, pp 1-26, 2007.

The TIGIT antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions provided herein have utility in therapy, in particular the therapeutic treatment of disease, in particular conditions that benefit from inhibition of TIGIT function.

Combination Products

As demonstrated herein, the antibodies of the invention or antigen binding fragments thereof are particularly effective when administered in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors—specifically anti-ICOS antagonist antibodies or anti-PD-1 antibodies (that is, antagonist antibodies specific for human immunoregulatory molecule PD-1). Administration of anti-TIGIT antibodies in combination with an anti-ICOS or anti-PD-1 antibody results in a synergistic reduction in tumour growth compared to either antibody alone. Similar effects are expected to be observed using a combination of an anti-TIGIT antibody according to the invention and an anti-PD-L1 antibody.

It is further demonstrated herein that antibodies of the invention or antigen binding fragments thereof are particularly effective when administered in combination with an agonist antibody specific to an immune checkpoint co-stimulatory molecule—specifically anti-4-1BB, anti-OX40 or anti-GITR agonist antibodies. Administration of anti-TIGIT antibodies in combination with an anti-4-1BB, anti-OX40 or anti-GITR agonist antibody results in a synergistic reduction in tumour growth compared to either antibody alone.

In a further aspect is provided a combination product comprising an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof and one or more of a chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti-GITR antibody, and an anti-ICOS antibody. In certain preferred embodiments, the anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment is an antibody or antigen binding fragment provided in accordance with the invention. In a most preferred embodiment, the anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein:

HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16 (YTFTSYYMH), HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 17 (VIGPSGASTSYAQKFQG), HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 18 (ARDHSDYWSGIMEV), LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61 (RASQSVRSSYLA), LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO: 62 (GASSRAT), and LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO: 63 (QQYFSPPWT).

Also provided is a combination as provided herein for use in a method of treating cancer or viral infection, optionally wherein the viral infection is CMV infection. Further provided is a combination as provided herein for use in a method provided herein.

As used herein, where two or more active agents are provided as a “combination”, “therapeutic combination” or “combination therapy” (the terms are used interchangeably), this does not require or exclude that the active agents are formulated into a single composition. A combination therapy is given its conventional interpretation of two or more active agents to be administered such that the patient can derive a benefit from each agent. “Combination therapy” does not necessitate co-formulation, co-administration, simultaneous administration or fixed dose formulation.

Therapeutic Methods

The TIGIT antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof and pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be used to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumour cells in vivo and are therefore useful in the treatment of tumours.

Accordingly, further aspects of the invention relate to methods of inhibiting tumour cell growth in a human patient, and also methods of treating or preventing cancer, which comprise administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment as described herein, a pharmaceutical composition as described herein, or a combination as described herein.

Another aspect of the invention provides a TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment as described herein for use in inhibiting the growth of tumour cells in a human patient. A still further aspect of the invention provides a TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment as described herein for use treating or preventing cancer in a human patient.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of selectively depleting Treg cells in a cancer patient, the method comprising administering an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to the patient. In certain embodiments, the anti-TIGIT antibody binds at an epitope on human TIGIT comprising residues Q56, N58, E60, 168 L73, H76, and 1109, preferably consisting of residues Q56, N58, E60, 168 L73, H76, and 1109. In certain embodiments, the anti-TIGIT antibody is an anti-TIGIT antibody provided herein.

In certain embodiments, the anti-TIGIT antibody comprises a combination of HCDR1, HCDR2, HCDR3, LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3, wherein: HCDR1 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 16 (YTFTSYYMH), HCDR2 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 17 (VIGPSGASTSYAQKFQG), HCDR3 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 18 (ARDHSDYWSGIMEV), LCDR1 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 61 (RASQSVRSSYLA), LCDR2 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 62 (GASSRAT), and LCDR3 comprises or consists SEQ ID NO: 63 (QQYFSPPWT).

In certain preferred embodiments, the patient to be treated has a cancer selected from: renal cancer (e.g., renal cell carcinoma), breast cancer, brain tumours, chronic or acute leukaemias including acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, lymphomas (e.g., Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphocytic lymphoma, primary CNS lymphoma, B-cell lymphoma (e.g. CLL), T-cell lymphoma (e.g. Sezary Syndrome)), nasopharyngeal carcinomas, melanoma (e.g., metastatic malignant melanoma), prostate cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the head or neck (e.g. head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)), cutaneous carcinoma, cutaneous or intraocular malignant melanoma, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, cancer of the anal region, stomach cancer, testicular cancer, uterine cancer, carcinoma of the fallopian tubes, carcinoma of the endometrium, carcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the vagina, carcinoma of the vulva, cancer of the oesophagus, cancer of the small intestine, cancer of the endocrine system, cancer of the thyroid gland, cancer of the parathyroid gland, cancer of the adrenal gland, sarcoma of soft tissue, cancer of the urethra, cancer of the penis, solid tumours of childhood, cancer of the bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter, carcinoma of the renal pelvis, neoplasm of the central nervous system (CNS), tumour angiogenesis, spinal axis tumour, brain stem glioma, pituitary adenoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, epidermoid cancer, squamous cell cancer, mesothelioma. In certain embodiments, the cancer inhibited is lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer (for example kidney carcinoma), head and neck cancer (e.g. HNSCC), or colon cancer (for example colon adenocarcinoma). In certain embodiments, the cancer is colon cancer (for example colon adenocarcinoma) or lung cancer. In certain embodiments, the cancer is a blood cancer. In certain such embodiments, the cancer is lymphoma. In certain embodiments the cancer is T cell lymphoma or B cell lymphoma.

In certain embodiments, the method of treating cancer further comprises administration of an additional therapeutic agent, for example a chemotherapeutic agent.

As demonstrated herein, the antibodies of the invention or antigen binding fragments thereof are particularly effective when administered in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors—specifically anti-ICOS antagonist antibodies or anti-PD-1 antibodies (that is, antagonist antibodies specific for human immunoregulatory molecule PD-1). Administration of anti-TIGIT antibodies in combination with an anti-ICOS or anti-PD-1 antibody results in a synergistic reduction in tumour growth compared to either antibody alone. Similar effects are expected to be observed using a combination of an anti-TIGIT antibody according to the invention and an anti-PD-L1 antibody.

It is further demonstrated herein that antibodies of the invention or antigen binding fragments thereof are particularly effective when administered in combination with an agonist antibody specific to an immune checkpoint co-stimulatory molecule—specifically anti-4-1BB, anti-OX40 or anti-GITR agonist antibodies. Administration of anti-TIGIT antibodies in combination with an anti-4-1BB, anti-OX40 or anti-GITR agonist antibody results in a synergistic reduction in tumour growth compared to either antibody alone.

Therefore, also provided herein is a method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof according to the invention and also administering an effective amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, and anti GITR antibody, or an anti-ICOS antibody.

In addition, the data provided herein demonstrating that anti-TIGIT antibodies can increase the activity of γδ cells as well as conventional T cells indicates that anti-TIGIT antibodies can be used to treat conditions other than cancer. In particular, γδ T cells are known to be important in the response to infection, for example bacterial, fungal or viral infection. As shown in Example 29, when contacted with an anti-TIGIT antibody, γδ T cells from CMV seropositive subjects exhibit markedly increased activation, characterised by an increase in IFNg section. The ability to promote activation of γδ T cells in CMV patients in this manner indicates that administration of an anti-TIGIT antibody will promote the antiviral activity of the γδ T cells.

Accordingly, provided herein is a method of treating viral infection in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Also provided is a method of treating viral infection in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-TIGIT antibody or antigen-binding fragment or a pharmaceutical composition provided herein to the subject, thereby treating the viral infection. In preferred embodiments, the viral infection is CMV infection.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, the one or more therapeutic agents are selected from: an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti GITR antibody, and an anti-ICOS antibody.

As demonstrated in the Examples, the anti-TIGIT antibodies disclosed herein are effective at promoting T cell activity, especially pro-inflammatory T cell activity. T ell activity can be measured by methods familiar to those of skill in the art, for example by measuring IFNg production as described in the Examples.

Accordingly, also provided herein is a method of promoting T cell activity comprising contacting a population of T cells with an antibody or antigen binding fragment as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the method of promoting T cell activity is performed in vitro. In certain embodiments, the method of promoting T cell activity is performed in vivo in a human subject. In certain such embodiments, the human subject has cancer. In certain embodiments, the human subject has a viral infection, for example CMV infection.

In certain embodiments, the method promotes conventional αβ T cell activity. In certain embodiments, the method promotes CD4 T cell activity. In certain embodiments, the method promotes CD8 T cell activity. In certain embodiments, the method promotes γδ (gamma-delta) T cell activity.

It is further demonstrated in the Examples that the anti-TIGIT antibodies disclosed herein will be especially effective at promoting T cell activity when used in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti GITR antibody, or an anti-ICOS antibody. Significantly, the combination provides a synergistic (i.e. greater than additive) increase in T cell activity.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the method of promoting T cell activity further comprises contacting the population of T cells with one or more of: an anti-PD1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, an anti-41BB antibody, an anti-OX40 antibody, an anti GITR antibody, and an anti-ICOS antibody.

Variants and equivalents of the embodiments of the invention described herein but not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention will be familiar to the skilled person. The invention will be further understood with reference to the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Selection of TIGIT Antigen-Binding Proteins

TIGIT ABPs were selected from a synthetic library of human antibodies expressed and presented on the surface of yeast cells in IgG format generally as described, e.g., in WO2009036379; WO2010105256; WO2012009568; and Xu et al., Protein Eng Des Sel., Vol. 26(10), pp. 663-670 (2013)), and more specifically as provided below. The sequences and characteristics of the ABPs isolated from the recombinant library are provided in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Eight naïve human synthetic yeast libraries each of ˜109 diversity were propagated as described previously (see, e.g.: Xu et al, 2013; WO2009036379; WO2010105256; and WO2012009568). For the first two rounds of selection, a magnetic bead sorting technique utilizing the Miltenyi MACS system was performed, as described (see, e.g., Siegel et al., 2004). Briefly, yeast cells (˜1010 cells/library) were incubated with biotinylated TIGIT-Fc antigen (Creative Biomart) in FACS wash buffer (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)/0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA)). After washing once with 50 ml ice-cold wash buffer, the cell pellet was resuspended in 40 mL wash buffer, and Streptavidin MicroBeads (500 μl) were added to the yeast and incubated for 15 min at 4° C. Next, the yeast were pelleted, resuspended in 5 mL wash buffer, and loaded onto a Miltenyi LS column. After the 5 mL was loaded, the column was washed 3 times with 3 ml FACS wash buffer. The column was then removed from the magnetic field, and the yeast were eluted with 5 mL of growth media and then grown overnight. The following rounds of sorting were performed using flow cytometry. Approximately 1×108 yeast were pelleted, washed three times with wash buffer, and incubated with biotinylated TIGIT-Fc fusion antigen (10 nM) under equilibrium conditions at room temperature. Yeast were then washed twice and stained with LC-FITC (diluted 1:100) and either SA-633 (diluted 1:500) or EA-PE (diluted 1:50) secondary reagents for 15 min at 4° C. After washing twice with ice-cold wash buffer, the cell pellets were resuspended in 0.4 mL wash buffer and transferred to strainer-capped sort tubes. Sorting was performed using a FACS ARIA sorter (BD Biosciences) and sort gates were assigned to select for specific binders relative to a background control. Subsequent rounds of selection were employed in order to reduce the number of non-specific binders utilizing soluble membrane proteins from CHO cells (See, e.g., WO2014179363 and Xu et al., Protein Eng Des Sel, Vol. 26(10), pp. 663-670 (2013)), and identify binders with improved affinity to TIGIT using the TIGIT-Fc antigen. After the final round of sorting, yeast were plated and individual colonies were picked for characterization and for nomination of clones for affinity maturation. 63 clones were screened for functional activity. From the screening, clones 26518, 26452, 26486, 26521 and 26493 had the best functional activity and were selected for further optimization.

Example 2: Antibody Optimization

Optimization of naïve clones was carried out utilizing three maturation strategies: light chain diversification; diversification of HCDR1 and HCDR2; and diversification of HCDR3 within the selected HCDR1 and HCDR2 diversity pools.

Light chain diversification: Heavy chain variable regions were extracted from naïve outputs (described above) and transformed into a light chain library with a diversity of 1×106. Selections were performed as described above with one round of MACS sorting and three rounds of FACS sorting using 10 nM or 1 nM biotinylated TIGIT-HIS antigen (Creative Biomart) for respective rounds.

HCDR1 and HCDR2 selection: The HCDR3s from clones selected from the light chain diversification procedure were recombined into a premade library with HCDR1 and HCDR2 variants of a diversity of 1×108 and selections were performed using monomeric HIS-TIGIT antigen. Affinity pressures were applied by using decreasing concentrations of biotinylated HIS-TIGIT antigen (100 to 1 nM) under equilibrium conditions at room temperature.

HCDR3/HCDR1/HCDR2 selections: Oligos were ordered from IDT which comprised the HCDR3 as well as a homologous flanking region on either side of the HCDR3. Amino acid positions in the HCDR3 were variegated via NNK diversity at two positions per oligo across the entire HCHR3. The HCDR3 oligos were double-stranded using primers which annealed to the flanking region of the HCDR3. The remaining FWR1 to FWR3 of the heavy chain variable region was amplified from pools of antibodies with improved affinity that were isolated from the HCDR1 and HCDR2 diversities selected above. The library was then created by transforming the double stranded HCDR3 oligo, the FWR1 to FWR3 pooled fragments, and the heavy chain expression vector into yeast already containing the light chain of the original naïve parent. Selections were performed as during previous cycles using FACS sorting for four rounds. For each FACS round the libraries were assessed for PSR binding, species cross-reactivity, and affinity pressure, and sorting was performed to obtain populations with the desired characteristics. Affinity pressures for these selections were performed as described above in the HCDR1 and HCDR2 selection.

Example 3: Antibody Production and Purification

A. Production in Yeast

In order to produce sufficient amounts of optimized and non-optimized selected antibodies for further characterization, the yeast clones were grown to saturation and then induced for 48 h at 30° C. with shaking. After induction, yeast cells were pelleted and the supernatants were harvested for purification. IgGs were purified using a Protein A column and eluted with acetic acid, pH 2.0. Fab fragments were generated by papain digestion and purified in a two steps process over Protein A (GE LifeSciences) and KappaSelect (GE Healthcare LifeSciences).

B. Production in Mammalian Cells

In order to produce sufficient amounts of optimized and non-optimized selected antibodies for further characterization, DNA vector coding for specific antibody clones were generated and transduced into HEK cells. Human codon optimized synthetic DNA fragments for antibody variable domains were ordered at Geneart. Variable domain sequences were seamlessly ligated into pUPE expression vectors containing the mouse IgKappa signal sequence and constant regions of the respective antibody class. Expression vectors were verified by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. For transient transfection Endotoxin free DNA maxipreps (Sigma) were produced and heavy and light chain vectors were co-transfected to HEK293EBNA1 cells, in Freestyle medium (ThermoFisherScientific), according to established protocols. Primatone (0.55% final volume) was added 24 hour post-transfection. Conditioned medium was harvested 6 days post transfection. Antibodies were purified batch wise by Mabselect sureLX (GE Healthcare) affinity chromatography. Bound antibodies were washed in 2 steps with PBS containing 1M NaCl and PBS. Antibodies were eluted with 20 mM Citrate 150 mM NaCl pH3 and neutralized to approximately pH7 with ⅙ volume of 1M K2HPO4/KH2PO4 pH8.

Next the antibodies were further purified by gel-filtration using a Superdex200 column, equilibrated in PBS. Fractions were analysed by NuPAGE and antibody containing fractions were pooled. The final products were sterilized over a 0.22 μM syringe filter. The product was analysed by NuPAGE and endotoxin levels were measured by LAL-assay.

Example 4: Affinity Determination for Binding of Anti-TIGIT Antibodies to Recombinant Human TIGIT Protein

A. ForteBio K_(D) Measurements

ForteBio affinity measurements of selected antibodies were performed generally as previously described (see, e.g., Estep et al., Mabs, Vol. 5(2), pp. 270-278 (2013)). Briefly, ForteBio affinity measurements were performed by loading IgGs on-line onto AHQ sensors. Sensors were equilibrated off-line in assay buffer for 30 min and then monitored on-line for 60 seconds for baseline establishment. Sensors with loaded IgGs were exposed to 100 nM antigen (human TIGIT-Fc, human TIGIT-His or cyno TIGIT-Fc) for 5 minutes, afterwards they were transferred to assay buffer for 5 min for off-rate measurement. Kinetics were analyzed using the 1:1 binding model. More than 90 antibodies were tested for affinity by ForteBio and Table 3 provides data for 15 selected anti-TIGIT antibodies demonstrating strong binding to recombinant TIGIT protein.

B. MSD-SET K_(D) Measurements

Equilibrium affinity measurements of selected antibodies were performed generally as previously described (Estep et al., Mabs, Vol. 5(2), pp. 270-278 (2013)). Briefly, solution equilibrium titrations (SET) were performed in PBS+0.1% IgG-Free BSA (PBSF) with antigen (TIGIT-His monomer) held constant at 10-100 μM and incubated with 3- to 5-fold serial dilutions of Fab or mAbs starting at 10 μM-10 nM. Antibodies (20 nM in PBS) were coated onto standard bind MSD-ECL plates overnight at 4° C. or at room temperature for 30 min. Plates were then blocked by BSA for 30 min with shaking at 700 rpm, followed by three washes with wash buffer (PBSF+0.05% Tween 20). SET samples were applied and incubated on the plates for 150s with shaking at 700 rpm followed by one wash. Antigen captured on a plate was detected with 250 ng/mL sulfotag-labeled streptavidin in PBSF by incubation on the plate for 3 min. The plates were washed three times with wash buffer and then read on the MSD Sector Imager 2400 instrument using 1× Read Buffer T with surfactant. The percent free antigen was plotted as a function of titrated antibody in Prism and fit to a quadratic equation to extract the KD. To improve throughput, liquid handling robots were used throughout MSD-SET experiments, including SET sample preparation. Selected antibodies were tested for affinity by MSD and Table 4 provides data for 7 anti-TIGIT clones demonstrating strong binding to recombinant TIGIT protein.

TABLE 4 MSD analysis of affinity for selected anti-TIGIT antibodies Clone MSD Affinity Monovalant KD (M) Human TIGIT-His 29489 1.1E−10 29494 7.0E−11 29499 1.9E−11 29513 2.5E−11 29520 2.1E−10 29523 1.7E−09 29527 6.4E−10

C. Biacore Measurement

Biosensor analysis was conducted at 25° C. in a HBS-EP buffer system (10 mM HEPES pH 7.3, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% Surfactant P20) using a Biacore 8K optical biosensor docked with a CMS sensor chip (GE Healthcare, Marlboro, Mass.). The sample hotel was maintained at 8° C. Goat anti-human IgG capture antibody (Fcγ fragment specific, Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., West Grove, Pa.; 109-005-098) was immobilized (11700+/−200 RU) to both flow cells of the sensor chip using standard amine coupling chemistry. This surface type provided a format for reproducibly capturing fresh analysis antibody after each regeneration step. Flow cell 2 was used to analyze captured antibody (60-90 RU) while flow cell 1 was used as a reference flow cell. Antigen concentrations ranging from 30 to 0.123 nM (3-fold dilutions) were prepared in running buffer. Each of the antigen sample concentrations were run as a single replicate. Two blank (buffer) injections also were run and used to assess and subtract system artefacts. The association (300 s) and dissociation (600 s) phases for all antigen concentrations were performed at a flow rate of 30 μl/min. The surface was regenerated with three sequential injections (15 s, 15 s and 60 s) of 10 mM glycine, pH 1.5 at a flow rate of 30 μl/min. The data was aligned, double referenced, and fit to a 1:1 binding model using Biacore 8K Evaluation Software, version 1.0. Selected antibodies were tested for affinity by Biacore and Table 5 provides data for 5 anti-TIGIT clones demonstrating strong binding to recombinant TIGIT protein.

TABLE 5 Biacore analysis of affinity for selected anti-TIGIT antibodies Biacore: Monovalent KD (M) (IgG on CM5 chip, Human TIGIT-HIS in solution Clone (Starting concentration 25 nM, 3x dilution) 29489 2.48E−10 31282 2.94E−10 29494 2.70E−10 29520 7.16E−10 29527 1.20E−09 31288 1.92E−10

Example 5: Competition Assay Between Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies and TIGIT Natural Ligands

A. Octet Red384 Epitope Binning/Ligand Blocking

Epitope binning/ligand blocking of selected antibodies was performed using a standard sandwich format cross-blocking assay. Control anti-target IgG was loaded onto AHQ sensors and unoccupied Fc-binding sites on the sensor were blocked with an irrelevant human IgG1 antibody. The sensors were then exposed to 100 nM target antigen (hTIGIT, Creative Biomart) followed by a second anti-target antibody or ligand (anti-TIGIT antibody and CD155 or CD113 or CD112). Data was processed using ForteBio's Data Analysis Software 7.0. Additional binding by the second antibody or ligand after antigen association indicates an unoccupied epitope (non-competitor), while no binding indicates epitope blocking (competitor or ligand blocking). Parental antibodies (before optimization) were tested for competition with natural ligands and Table 6 summarizes the data obtained for competition against CD155, CD112 and CD113. Parental clone 26432 was found not to compete with CD155 for TIGIT binding. All other selected anti-TIGIT antibodies compete with natural ligand for binding to recombinant human TIGIT protein.

TABLE 6 Binning analysis against TIGIT natural ligands for non-optimized anti-TIGIT antibodies CD155 CD112 CD113 Clone competition competition competition 26518 Yes Yes Yes 26452 Yes Yes Yes 26486 Yes Yes Yes 26521 Yes Yes Yes 26493 Yes Yes Yes 26432 No

B. Competition of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies with CD155 on Jurkat-hTIGIT

Jurkat cells overexpressing human TIGIT (Jurkat-hTIGIT) were collected and distributed at 10⁵ cells/well and incubated with anti-human TIGIT antibodies at the following concentrations: 166.6; 53.24; 17.01; 5.43; 1.73; 0.55; 0.17; 0.05; 0.01; 5.78×10⁻³; 1.85×10⁻³; 5.9×10⁻³ nM in complete medium during 45 min at 37° C. Excess of antibody was washed, and then the cells were incubated with CD155-His at 5 μg/ml (Creative Biomart, PVR-3141H) for 45 min at 37° C. Then, bound CD155-His was detected using anti-His tag-PE (Biolegend, 362603, at 2 μl per test), incubated for 30 min at 4° C. Cells were analysed by FACS using BD LSRFortessa and the half concentration (IC50) that prevents CD155 binding was calculated on the basis of the geometric mean fluorescence.

Jurkat cells overexpressing human TIGIT (Jurkat-hTIGIT) were collected and distributed at 105 cells/well and incubated with anti-human TIGIT antibodies at the following concentrations: 166.6; 53.24; 17.01; 5.43; 1.73; 0.55; 0.17; 0.05; 0.01; 5.78×10−3; 1.85×10-3; 5.9×10−3 nM in complete medium during 45 min at 37° C. Excess of antibody was washed, and then the cells were incubated with CD155-His at 5 μg/ml (Creative Biomart, PVR-3141H) for 45 min at 37° C. Then, bound CD155-His was detected using anti-His tag-PE (Biolegend, 362603, at 2 μl per test), incubated for 30 min at 4° C. Cells were analysed by FACS using BD LSRFortessa and the half concentration (IC50) that prevents CD155 binding was calculated on the basis of the geometric mean fluorescence.

The results were as follows: 0,101 nM for clone 29489; 0.07 nM for clone 29494; 0,102 nM for clone 29520 and 0,078 nM for clone 29527, for the results illustrated in FIG. 7. The values of other tested antibodies are summarized in the Table 7 below. Overall, the results demonstrate a strong competition by the tested antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibodies with CD155 for binding to membrane expressed TIGIT.

TABLE 7 IC₅₀ data for CD155 competition on human TIGIT IC50 of CD155 competition Clone for TIGIT binding (in nM) 29489 0.101 29494 0.070 29499 0.103 29513 0.094 29520 0.102 29523 0.079 29527 0.078

Example 6: Characterization of Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

(MAbs. 2015 May-June; 7(3): 553-561.)

Anti-TIGIT IgG1 antibody samples were buffer exchanged into 1 M ammonium sulfate and 0.1 M sodium phosphate at pH 6.5 using a Zeba 40 kDa 0.5 mL spin column (Thermo Pierce, cat #87766). A salt gradient was established on a Dionex ProPac HIC-10 column from 1.8 M ammonium sulfate, 0.1 M sodium phosphate at pH 6.5 to the same condition without ammonium sulfate. The gradient ran for 17 min at a flow rate of 0.75 ml/min. An acetonitrile wash step was added at the end of the run to remove any remaining protein and the column was re-equilibrated over 7 column volumes before the next injection cycle. Peak retention times were monitored at A280 absorbance and concentrations of ammonium sulfate at elution were calculated based on gradient and flow rate. Table 8 summarizes the results obtained for 15 selected anti-TIGIT antibodies.

TABLE 8 Analysis of Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography for selected anti-TIGIT antibodies Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography Clone (HIC) Retention Time (min) 26518 10.4 29478 12.7 26452 9.3 29487 9.9 29489 10.6 26486 11.0 29494 9.7 29499 9.1 26521 12.4 29513 12.5 26493 8.8 29520 9.6 29523 8.7 29527 8.6 26432 11.1 32919 9.0 32931 9.3 32959 12.0

Example 7: Characterization of PSR Preparation Polyspecificity Reagent

A. Preparation of Polyspecificity Reagent:

Polyspecificity reagent (PSR) was prepared according to Xu et. al, mAbs 2013. In brief, 2.5 liters CHO—S cells were used as starting material. The cells were pelleted at 2,400×g for 5 min in 500 mL centrifuge bottles filled to 400 mL. Cell pellets were combined and then resuspended in 25 ml Buffer B and pelleted at 2,400×g for 3 min. The buffer was decanted and the wash repeated one time. Cell pellets were resuspended in 3× the pellet volume of Buffer B containing 1× protease inhibitors (Roche, cOmplete, EDTA-free) using a polytron homogenizer with the cells maintained on ice. The homogenate was then centrifuged at 2,400×g for 5 min and the supernatant retained and pelleted one additional time (2,400×g/5 min) to ensure the removal of unbroken cells, cell debris and nuclei; the resultant supernatant is the total protein preparation. The supernatant was then transferred into two Nalgene Oak Ridge 45 mL centrifuge tubes and pelleted at 40,000×g for 40 min at 4° C. The supernatants containing the Separated Cytosolic Proteins (SCPs) were then transferred into clean Oak Ridge tubes, and centrifuged at 40,000×g one more time. In parallel, the pellets containing the membrane fraction (EMF) were retained and centrifuged at 40,000 for 20 min to remove residual supernatant. The EMF pellets were then rinsed with Buffer B. 8 mL Buffer B was then added to the membrane pellets to dislodge the pellets and transfer into a Dounce Homogenizer. After the pellets were homogenized, they were transferred to a 50 mL conical tube and represented the final EMF preparation.

One billion mammalian cells (e.g. CHO, HEK293, Sf9) at ˜106-107 cells/mL were transferred from tissue culture environment into 4×250 mL conical tubes and pelleted at 550×g for 3 min. All subsequent steps were performed at 4° C. or on ice with ice-cold buffers. Cells were washed with 100 mL of PBSF (1×PBS+1 mg/mL BSA) and combined into one conical tube. After removing the supernatant, the cell pellet was then re-suspended in 30 mL Buffer B (50 mM HEPES, 0.15 M NaCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 5 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 10% Glycerol, pH 7.2) and pelleted at 550×g for 3 min. Buffer B supernatant was decanted and cells re-suspended in 3× pellet volume of Buffer B plus 2.5× protease inhibitor (Roche, cOmplete, EDTA-free). Protease inhibitors in Buffer B were included from here on forward. Cells were homogenized four times for 30 sec pulses (Polyton homogenizer, PT1200E) and the membrane fraction was pelleted at 40,000×g for 1 hour at 4 C. The pellet is rinsed with 1 mL Buffer B; the supernatant is retained and represents the s. The pellet is transferred into a Dounce homogenizer with 3 mL of Buffer B and re-suspended by moving the pestle slowly up and down for 30-35 strokes. The enriched membrane fraction (EMF) is moved into a new collection tube, rinsing the pestle to collect all potential protein. Determine the protein concentration of the purified EMF using the Dc-protein assay kit (BioRad). To solubilize the EMF, transfer into Solubilization Buffer (50 mM HEPES, 0.15 M NaCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 5 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 1% n-Dodecyl-b-D-Maltopyranoside (DDM), 1× protease inhibitor, pH 7.2) to a final concentration of 1 mg/mL. Rotate the mixture overnight at 4° C. rotating followed by centrifugation in a 50 mL Oak Ridge tube (Fisher Scientific, 050529-ID) at 40,000×g for 1 hour. The supernatant, which represents the soluble membrane proteins (SMPs), was collected and the protein yield quantified as described above.

For biotinylation, prepare the NHS-LC-Biotin stock solution according to manufacturer's protocol (Pierce, Thermo Fisher). In brief, 20 μl of biotin reagent is added for every 1 mg of EMF sample and incubated at 4° C. for 3 hours with gentle agitation. Adjust the volume to 25 mL with Buffer B and transfer to an Oak Ridge centrifuge tube. Pellet the biotinylated EMF (b-EMF) at 40,000×g for 1 hour, and rinse two times with 3 mL of Buffer C (Buffer B minus the glycerol) without disturbing the pellet. Remove the residual solution. The pellet was re-suspended with a Dounce homogenizer in 3 mL of Buffer C as described previously. The re-suspended pellet now represents biotinylated EMF (b-EMF) and is solubilized as described above to prepare b-SMPs.

B. PSR Binding Analyses

PSR analyses were carried out generally as described in WO2014/179363. Briefly, to characterize the PSR profile of monoclonal antibodies presented on yeast, two million IgG-presenting yeast were transferred into a 96-well assay plate and pellet at 3000×g for 3 min to remove supernatant. Re-suspend the pellet in 50 μl of freshly prepared 1:10 dilution of stock b-PSRs and incubate on ice for 20 minutes. Wash the cells twice with 200 μl of cold PBSF and pellet re-suspended in 50 μl of secondary labeling mix (Extravidin-R-PE, anti-human LC-FITC, and propidium iodide). Incubate the mix on ice for 20 minutes followed by two washes with 200 μl ice-cold PBSF. Re-suspend the cells in 100 μl of ice-cold PBSF and run the plate on a FACS Canto (BD Biosciences) using HTS sample injector. Flow cytometry data was analyzed for mean fluorescence intensity in the R-PE channel and normalized to proper controls in order to assess non-specific binding. Table 9 summarizes the results of Poly-specificity Reagent binding obtained for 15 selected anti-TIGIT antibodies which confirm low score for most of the clones.

TABLE 9 Analysis of Polyspecificity Reagent Clone Polyspecificity Reagent (PSR) Score (0-1) 26518 0.00 29478 0.01 26452 0.00 29487 0.01 29489 0.01 26486 0.00 29494 0.00 29499 0.10 26521 0.00 29513 0.01 26493 0.00 29520 0.32 29523 0.12 29527 0.12 26432 0.00 31288 0.00 32919 0.00 32931 0.00 32959 0.1

Example 8: Characterization of TIGIT Expression on Immune Populations from Healthy Human PBMC

A. TIGIT Expression Profile on T Cell Subsets

Flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the expression of TIGIT on immune cell subsets in PBMC freshly isolated from healthy individuals. Conjugated antibodies were purchased from Ebioscience/Thermo Fisher Scientific, BioLegend or BD Biosciences. Cells were stained per manufacturer's instruction using filtered FACS buffer (PBS+2 mM EDTA+0.1% BSA) and Brilliant Stain buffer (BD #563794). Cells were blocked with appropriate Human FcBlock (BD #564220) prior to staining and were fixed using IC fixation buffer (eBioscience #00-8222-49) prior acquisition. Acquisition was performed on a FACS Fortessa (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo, LLC). Viable cells were gated on Forward and Side scatter. Various Immune cells subsets were gated as followed: CD19+(B cells), CD3− CD19− CD14+(Monocytes), CD3+ TCRab− (TCRgd T cells), CD3+ TCRab+ (TCRab T cells), CD3− CD19− CD14− HLA-DR− CD56low/high (NK cells), CD3− CD19− CD14−HLA-DR+ (Dendritic cells), CD3+ TCRab+ CD4+ CD127low CD25+ (regulatory T cells), CD3+ TCRab+ CD4+ or CD8+ CD45RO− CCR7+ (CD4 or CD8 naïve T cells), CD3+ TCRab+CD4+ or CD8+ CD45RO+ (memory T cells) and CD45RO-CD62L− (effector T cells),

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, TIGIT is preferentially expressed on NK cells, regulatory T cells and CD8 memory T cells. It is present to a lesser extent on other T cells subsets with a low proportion of naïve T cells showing TIGIT expression. In addition, TIGIT is not expressed on monocytes, dendritic cells and B cells (FIG. 8B). This set of data is in agreement with published data (Yu et al. NI 2008 and Wang et al. EJI 2015).

Example 9: Cellular Binding of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies

A. Binding of anti-TIGIT antibodies to Jurkat-hTIGIT and Jurkat-mTIGIT

The affinity of human anti-TIGIT antibodies has been measured using Jurkat E6.1 cells transduced with human-TIGIT (Jurkat hTIGIT) or mouse TIGIT (Jurkat-mTIGIT). To analyse the affinity of the selected antibodies for hTIGIT or mTIGIT, 105 cells were distributed per well and incubated with anti-TIGIT antibody at a single dose of 100 nM (Table 3) or with decreasing concentration (166.6; 53.24; 17.01; 5.43; 1.73; 0.55; 0.17; 0.05; 0.01; 5.78×10⁻³; 1.85×10⁻³; 5.9×10⁻³ nM) of selected antibodies (FIG. 9). Antibodies were incubated with the cells for 20 min at 4° C. in FACS buffer. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min on ice and washed twice. Geometric mean fluorescence intensity was analysed using LSR BD Fortessa. Cell binding was recorded as the median florescence intensity of PE on the transfected line compared to the un-transfected line for each antibody (Table 3). For calculation of EC50 binding, the half-maximal concentration of binding (EC50) to hTIGIT-Jurkat was calculated using a four-variable curve-fit equation in Prism, and the obtained values were the following ones: 0.082 nM for clone 29489; 0.07 nM for clone 29494; 0.119 nM for clone 29520 and 0.05 nM for clone 29527 for the data illustrated in FIG. 9. The results demonstrate a strong binding to membrane expressed human TIGIT for the tested anti-TIGIT antibodies.

B. Binding of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies to Human Primary T Cells

Isolated human PBMCs from healthy volunteers were analysed for binding by antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibodies. Cells were distributed at 5×105 cells per well. Cells were incubated with anti-CD16 (Clone 3G8, BioLegend 302002), CD32 (Clone FLI8.26, BD Bioscience 557333) and CD64 (BD Bioscience 555525) at room temperature for 10 min, and the indicated anti-human TIGIT antibodies were directly added at a final concentration of: 12.65; 4; 1.26; 0.40; 0.126; 0.040; 0.12 and 4×10⁻³ nM in FACS buffer and incubated for 20 min at 4° C. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min at 4° C. Then, cells were washed and incubated with the following antibodies and LVD mix for results of FIGS. 10A and 10B: anti-CD4-PercP-Cy5.5 (clone A161A1, BioLegend 357414); anti-CD8− BV510 (clone SK1, BD Bioscience 563919) and LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14). For FIG. 10C, cells were washed and incubated with the following antibodies and LVD mix: LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14), anti-TCRab-PercP-Cy5.5 (Clone IP26, Biolegend 306723), anti-CD4-BV510 (Clone SK3, BD Horizon 562970), anti-CD8-APC-Cy7 (Clone SK1, Biolegend 344714), anti-CD25-BV605 (Clone 2A3, Biolegend 562660), anti-CD127-APC (A019D5, Biolegend 351316), anti-CCR7-BV421 (Clone G043H7, Biolegend 353207) and anti-CD45RO-PE-Cy7 (Clone UCHL1, Biolegend 304229).

The EC50 value for binding to CD8+ human primary T cells was calculated using the % of positive TIGIT stained cells on gated LVD-CD8+ T cells (FIGS. 10A and 10B). The EC50 value for binding to human memory CD8+ or Treg primary T cells was calculated using the % of positive TIGIT stained cells on gated LVD-TCRab+ CD45RO+ CD8+ T cells (for memory CD8+ T cells) or on gated LVD-TCRab+ CD127loCD25hiCD4+ T cells (for Tregs) and are illustrated in FIG. 10C.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the EC50 value for binding to total human CD8+ T cells are 0.123 nM for clone 29489; 0.181 nM, for clone 29520 and 0.253 nM for clone 29527. Direct comparison between 29489 and 31282 (the 29489 mutant with a M to T mutation on residue 116) was performed, and the EC50 value was 0.057 nM and 0.086 nM respectively, demonstrating strong and similar binding efficacy to human primary CD8+ T cells for the 2 clones (FIG. 10B). The EC50 values obtained for binding to memory CD8+ T cells and Treg were 0.039 nM and 0.03 nM respectively, demonstrating a strong and similar affinity for both populations (FIG. 10C).

C. Binding of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies to Cynomolgus Primary T Cells

Isolated PBMCs from Macaca fascicularis were obtained from BioPRIM. Cells were thawed and stimulated using the T cell activation/expansion kit for non-human primate (Miltenyi Biotec) at 1:2 (bead:cell ratio) following the manufacturer's specifications. The next day, cells were collected, counted and distributed at 5×10⁴ cells per well. Cells were incubated with anti-CD16 (Clone 3G8, BioLegend 302002), CD32 (Clone FLI8.26, BD Bioscience 557333) and CD64 (BD Bioscience 555525) at room temperature for 10 min, and selected anti-human TIGIT antibodies were directly added at a final concentration of: 12.65; 4; 1.26; 0.40; 0.126; 0.040; 0.12 and 4×10⁻³ nM in FACS buffer and incubated for 20 min at 4° C. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min at 4° C. Then, cells were washed and incubated with the following antibodies and LVD mix for data illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B: anti-CD4− PercP-Cy5.5 (clone A161A1, BioLegend 357414); anti-CD8− BV510 (clone SK1, BD Bioscience 563919), CD69-APC-Cy7 (Clone FN50, BioLegend, 310914) and LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14). Stained cells were analysed by FACS using BD LSR Fortessa. The EC50 value of binding was calculated using the % of positive TIGIT stained cells gated on LVD-CD69+ CD8+ T cells. As shown in FIG. 11, the EC50 values for binding to cynomolgus CD8+ T cells were 0.487 nM for clone 29489, 1.73 nM for clone 29520 and 0.378 nM for clone 29527. Clones 29489 and 31282 (the 29489 mutant with a M to T mutation on residue 116) were compared as well, and the EC50 values were 0.25 nM and 0.26 nM respectively for the example shown in FIG. 11B, demonstrating a similar and strong affinity for cynomolgus primary CD8+ T cells for the 2 clones.

Example 10: In Vitro Functional Characterization of Antagonistic Anti-TIGIT Activity

A. TIGIT Bioassay on CHO-TCR-CD155 and Jurkat-hTIGIT Co-Culture

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor, we co-cultured Jurkat cells, that express hTIGIT and a luciferase reporter activated upon TCR engagement (Thaw-and-Use TIGIT Effector cells from Promega), with CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human CD155 and TCR activator (Thaw-and-Use CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 from Promega). The activation of TIGIT-overexpressing Jurkat cells can be induced by contact with CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells upon TCR engagement on Jurkat cells and can be increased in presence of antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibody. To compare the potency of the different antibodies to increase Jurkat cell activation, the experiment was conducted in presence of increasing antibody concentrations and the EC50 values were calculated.

Thaw-and-Use CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The day after, Thaw-and-Use TIGIT Effector cells (Promega, CS198811) were added according to manufacturer's recommendations to the CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 cell plates containing fresh full medium with anti-TIGIT antibody at 133 nM (FIG. 12A) or increasing concentrations (0.22; 0.54; 1.36; 3.41; 8.53; 21.3; 53.3; 133.33; and 333 nM) of anti-TIGIT antibody (FIG. 12B) and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 during 6 hours.

After the 6 hours of incubation, activation of TIGIT Effector cell was assessed by measuring the luciferase activity by using Bio-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System (Promega, G7941).

FIG. 12A shows the effect of the addition of the selected clones on Luciferase signal as compared to isotype control. The data demonstrates the antagonistic activity of those antibodies that resulted in a stronger activation of Jurkat-hTIGIT cells. Table 10 summarizes the fold change induction in luciferase expression obtained for the different anti-TIGIT antibodies over the isotype control clone (03847).

TABLE 10 Fold change induction over isotype control Clone name Induction over Isotype control (fold change) 26518 2.89 29478 3.57 26452 2.9 29487 3.22 29489 4.08 26486 1.9 29494 3.42 29499 3.68 26521 2.66 29513 3.26 26493 0.96 29520 2.52 29523 2.4 29527 2.96 03847 1

As shown in FIG. 12B, Jurkat-hTIGIT cell activation was assessed with anti-TIGIT antibody between 0.22 nM and 333 nM and gave an EC50 value of 3.0 nM for clone 29489; 4.4 nM for clone 29494; 2.3 nM for clone 29520 and 32 nM for clone 29527; 2.7 nM for clone 32919 and 3.2 nM for clone 32931 demonstrating a strong functional activity consecutive to blocking TIGIT inhibitory signalling. Clones 29489 and 31282 (the 29489 mutant with a M to T mutation on residue 116) were compared as well, and the EC50 values were respectively of 4.3 nM and 8.1 nM for the example shown in FIG. 12C, demonstrating a similar functional activity for the 2 clones.

B. Human Primary CD8⁺ T Cell-Based Functional Assay

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor, we co-cultured human primary CD8+ T cells from PBMC of healthy human donors with CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human CD155 and to activate human T cells. We observed that the release of IFNg by CD8+ T cells in the presence of engineered CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells could be increased by blocking hTIGIT with anti-TIGIT antagonistic antibodies. To compare the potency of these antibodies to increase IFNg release, the experiment was conducted in presence of increasing antibody concentrations and the EC50 values were calculated.

Thaw-and-Use CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded in U-bottom 96-well plates according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The next day, CD8+ T cells were purified according to manufacturer's recommendations by using negative selection kit (Stemcell Technologies, 17953) from frozen human peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from total blood of healthy donors (Immunehealth). Purified CD8 T cells were then incubated with increasing concentrations (0.11 nM, 0.33 nM, 1.06 nM, 3.3 nM, 10.6 nM, 33.3 nM, 105.5 nM and 333 nM) of antibodies (100,000 CD8 T cells/100 W of full medium containing antibody) during 1 hour. After that, the antibody-CD8 mix was added to the CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 cell plates containing 50 W of fresh full medium and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 during 5 days. Finally, IFNg concentrations were assessed in cell supernatant using an ELISA assay (Affymetrix eBioscience, 88-7316-86) that was run according to manufacturer's recommendations.

As shown in FIG. 13A, all the anti-TIGIT antibodies increased IFNg secretion over isotype control. The highest increase was observed with clone 29489 (6.4 fold) followed by 29494 (5.8 fold), 29520 (5.4 fold), 29499 (5.2 fold), 29527 (4.5 fold) and 29513 (3.2 fold).

Dose range study (between 0.22 nM and 333 nM of anti-TIGIT antibody) was also conducted to evaluate the EC50 value for increase in IFNg secretion by human primary CD8 T cells. As shown in FIG. 13B, anti-TIGIT antibody 29489 showed the best activity with an EC50 of 3.5 nM followed by clone 29527 EC50=5.1 nM), clone 29494 (EC50=6.1 nM) and clone 29520 (EC50=11.1 nM). Finally, clone 29489 and its mutant 31282 were tested in parallel and demonstrated a similar activity with a respective EC50 value of 0.49 nM and 0.50 nM (FIG. 13C). Altogether these data demonstrate a strong functional activity of antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibodies to block TIGIT inhibitory signal in CD8+ human T cells and to increase effector functions, as characterized by a strong increase in IFNg production.

C. Human TIL Functional Assay

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor on Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILS) from cancer patients, we co-cultured human primary CD8+ T cells from TILs of ovarian ascites patient with CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human CD155 and to activate human T cells. We observed that the release of IFNg by CD8+ T cells in presence of engineered CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells can be increased by blocking hTIGIT with anti-TIGIT antagonistic antibodies.

Thaw-and-Use CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded in U-bottom 96-well plates according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The next day, CD8 T cells were purified according to manufacturer's recommendations by using negative selection kit (Stemcell Technologies, 17953) from frozen human TILs isolated from ovarian ascites (Immunehealth). Purified CD8+ T cells were then incubated with anti-TIGIT antibody clone 26452, the non-optimized parent of clones 29489 and 31282 (100,000 CD8+ T cells/100 W of full medium containing antibody) during 1 hour. After that, the antibody-CD8 mix was added to the CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 cell plates containing 50 μl of fresh full medium and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 during 5 days.

Finally, IFNg concentrations were assessed in cell supernatant using an ELISA assay (Affymetrix eBioscience, 88-7316-86) that was run according to manufacturer's recommendations. As seen in FIG. 14, IFNg secretion was increased by almost 2 folds when anti-TIGIT antibody was added to the co-culture. These data demonstrate a strong functional activity of antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibodies to block TIGIT inhibitory signal in CD8+ human TILs and to increase effector functions of T cells in a tumour setting.

Example 11: Characterization of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody with Functional Activity in Mouse

A. Mouse CD155 Competition Assay for Surrogate Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody

For this assay, Jurkat cells (clone E6-1, ATCC TIB-152) engineered to overexpress mouse TIGIT (Jurkat-mTIGIT) were used. Anti-TIGIT antibody 26493 was used as a surrogate as this antibody showed cross-reactivity for mouse TIGIT as well as binding to human TIGIT. Cells were pre-incubated for 45 min at 37° C. with different concentrations of anti-TIGIT antibody clone 26493 (0.03 to 10 μg/ml) in 25 μl of complete medium (RPMI+10% FBS). Cells were washed once and incubated with 4 μg/ml mouse CD155-His-Fc tag protein (Thermo Fisher, 50259M03H50) in 50 μl of complete medium for 45 min in incubator. Cells were washed once, and stained with PE-anti-His antibody (Biolegend, 362603) during 30 min at 4° C. The median fluorescence intensity (MFI) measured by FACS was used as a measure of binding of CD155 to Jurkat-mTIGIT. FIG. 15A shows the dose-response curve of anti-TIGIT clone 26493 for CD155 competition identifying 2.3 nM as IC50 (upper dotted line represent signal from isotype, bottom dotted line signal from cells without CD155). These results demonstrate the functional efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibody to compete with CD155 ligand for mouse TIGIT.

B. Mouse Functional In Vitro Assay: Antigen-Specific Cytotoxicity (OT-I)

To assess the antigen-specific cytotoxic activity of OT-I CD8+ T cells towards OVA-pulsed target cells and the effect of anti-TIGIT antibody in this assay, OT1 cells were isolated from the spleens of C57BL/6-Tg(TcraTcrb)1100Mjb/Crl mice (Charles River) by mechanical dissociation followed by negative selection for mouse T cells using EasySep™ Mouse T Cell Isolation Kit (Stemcell, Catalog #19851). As antigen-presenting cells, PanO2 cancer cells that naturally express CD155, were treated with Mitomycin C (25 μg/ml) and subsequently pulsed with OVA-peptide (S7951-1MG, Sigma Aldrich, 1 μg/ml, 1 h at 37° C.). CD8+ T cells and PanO2 were co-cultured for 3 days in the presence of anti-TIGIT clone 26493 or isotype control at 133 nM. At day 3, supernatant was collected for detection of IFNg by ELISA (FIG. 15B) and T cells for the cytotoxicity assay (FIG. 15C). As target cells, OVA-pulsed PanO2 were used. Target cells and non-pulsed Pan02 cells (non-target internal control), 1×106 each, were labelled with CFSE (C1157, ThermoFisher) and CellTrace™ Far Red Cell Proliferation Kit (C34564, ThermoFisher) respectively, according to manufacturer instructions. These cells were mixed (1:1 ratio) and plated at 2×104 cells per well. The stimulated OT-1 CD8+ T cells were added at 1×105 cells/well (effector cells) resulting in 10:1 effector to target ratio in the presence of anti-TIGIT clone 26493 or isotype control at 133 nM. After 24 hrs cells were washed with PBS and lifted by trypsinization. Cells were then stained with Live/dead fixable violet dead cell staining kit (Molecular Probes, L34955). Cytotoxic killing of target cells was then measured by monitoring the change in the ratio of living target cells to non-target cells by flow-cytometry.

FIG. 15B shows that anti-TIGIT antibody increases IFNg production by almost 2 folds while FIG. 15C shows an increased cytotoxic activity of mouse OT-I CD8+ T cells of around 60%. Altogether, these results confirm the functional activity of anti-TIGIT antibody to increase mouse CD8+ T cell effector function.

Example 12: Anti-Tumour Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody in Monotherapy and in Combination with Anti-PD1 Antibodies in Mouse Model

A. In Vivo Anti-Tumor Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody in Monotherapy

For this experiment, anti-TIGIT clone 26493 was produced in mammalian cells on a mouse IgG2a isotype. Female Balb/c mice of 8 weeks were inoculated with 500.000 CT26 colon cancer cells (ATCC® CRL2638™) subcutaneously. On day 9 after inoculation, when tumor volumes were on average around 45 mm3, mice were randomized in treatment groups with equal tumor volume (n=8 per group). Mice were treated with 200 μg of anti-TIGIT or with isotype control (mIgG2a, BioXcell) or with 200 μg of anti-PD-1 (RMP1-14, BioXcell) and 200 μg of isotype control (mIgG2a, BioXcell) or with 200 μg of anti-PD-1 (RMP1-14, BioXcell) and different concentrations of anti-TIGIT (200 μg, 60 μg, 20 μg) by intraperitoneal injections on day 9, day 12 and day 15. Tumor growth was monitored and tumor volumes were measured with electronic calipers three times a week from day 9 until day 36. Mice were sacrificed when tumor volume exceeded 2000 mm3. Tumor growth curves were statistically analyzed by a linear mixed model. Differences between treatment groups were evaluated by testing the interaction of time*treatment group. To test for a synergistic effect between anti-TIGIT and anti-PD-1, treatment groups were recoded by a combination of two variables; anti-TIGIT (yes/no) and anti-PD-1 (yes/no). A synergistic effect, on top of the additive effect of each treatment (anti-TIGIT*time and anti-PD-1*time) was evaluated by testing the interaction term anti-TIGIT*anti-PD-1*time.

FIG. 16A shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated with anti-TIGIT antibody in monotherapy. Whereas in the control group, no mice had regression of the tumor, 2/8 mice treated with anti-TIGIT had a complete response. In the remaining mice, a clear tumor growth delay was present. In the control group, no mice survived beyond 30 days, whereas in the treated group, 7/8 mice survived beyond 30 days.

FIG. 16B shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated by anti-PD1 in monotherapy or in combination with anti-TIGIT. There was significant suppression of tumor growth in mice treated with anti-TIGIT+ anti-PD-1 compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy (p<0.0001). The combination of anti-TIGIT+ anti-PD-1 achieved synergistic anti-tumor efficacy that was more than the additive effect of both monotherapy treatments (p=0.02). The combination of anti-TIGIT (at 200 ug) and anti-PD1 antibodies resulted in 7/8 mice showing a complete response. The anti-tumor efficacy was maintained with combination of anti-PD1 and lower doses of anti-TIGIT that achieve complete response for 8/8 mice when anti-TIGIT antibody was decreased to 60 μg and 5/8 mice when anti-TIGIT antibody was decreased further to 20 μg (FIG. 16C). These data demonstrate the significant anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in monotherapy (p<0.0001) or in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody (p<0.0001) for treatment of pre-established tumours.

Example 13: Isotype-Dependent Anti-Tumour Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody in Monotherapy and Combination with Anti-PD1 Antibodies in Mouse Model

For this experiment, anti-TIGIT clone 26493 was produced in mammalian cells on a mouse IgG2a and mouse IgG1 isotype. Female Balb/c mice of 8 weeks were inoculated with 500.000 CT26 colon cancer cells (ATCC® CRL-2638™) subcutaneously. On day 10 after inoculation, when tumor volumes were on average around 100 mm3, mice were randomized in treatment groups with equal tumor volume (n=10 per group). For evaluation of monotherapy, mice were treated with 200 μg of anti-TIGIT or isotype control (mIgG2a, BioXcell) by intraperitoneal injections on day 10, day 13 and day 16. For evaluation of combination with anti-PD-1, mice were treated with 200 μg of anti-PD-1 (RMP1-14, BioXcell) and 200 μg of isotype control (mIgG2a, BioXcell) or by combination of 200 μg of anti-PD-1 (RMP1-14, BioXcell) and 200 μg of anti-TIGIT by intraperitoneal injections on day 10, day 13 and day 16. Tumor growth was monitored and tumor volumes were measured with electronic calipers three times a week from day 10 until day 33. Mice were sacrificed when tumor volume exceeded 2000 mm3.

FIG. 17A shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for monotherapy with anti-TIGIT antibody and FIG. 17B for combination therapy with anti-TIGIT and anti-PD1 antibodies. Both in monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1, treatment with anti-TIGIT antibody resulted in significant anti-tumor efficacy when administered as a mouse IgG2a isotype (p=0.0001 and p=0.009 respectively). However, no anti-tumor efficacy could be observed with anti-TIGIT as a mouse IgG1 isotype, suggesting that interaction of Fc receptor with mIgG2a is important for the anti-tumor activity of anti-TIGIT antagonistic antibodies in the murine CT26 model. These data demonstrate the isotype-dependent anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in monotherapy or combination for treatment of pre-established tumours.

Example 14: Characterization of the Mechanism of Action of In Vivo Anti-Tumour Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody

A. Flow Cytomtery Analysis of Spleen and Tumor

To investigate the in vivo mode of action of antagonistic anti-TIGIT antibody, tumours were analysed by flow cytometry for the immune cell infiltrate following treatment with anti-TIGIT antibody 26493 (IgG2a), in monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1. Mice were inoculated and treated as described in example 12. Two days after the second treatment, mice (8 mice per group) were sacrificed and tumours harvested. Tumours were dissociated with a tumour dissociation kit (Miltenyi Biotec). For direct ex-vivo staining, cells were stained with anti-CD45, anti-CD4, anti-CD8 and anti-FoxP3 (all from eBioscience) after staining with a viability dye (Molecular Probes, L34955) and Fc-block. For ex vivo stimulation, cells were incubated with cell stimulation cocktail (eBioscience) and protein transport inhibitor (eBioscience) for 3 hours. This was followed by staining with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies and Fc-block. After fixation and permeabilization with commercial buffers (IC fixation buffer and permeabilization buffer), cells were stained with anti-IL-10 and anti-IFNg (all from eBioscience). In all the figures, the percentage change compared to the relevant control group (isotype control for monotherapy, anti-PD-1 for combination) is shown, with a negative value representing a decrease and a positive value an increase compared to the control group.

FIG. 18A shows that in vivo treatment of tumour with anti-TIGIT mIgG2a antibody results in a decrease in proportion of regulatory T cells within CD4+ TILs population of 28% compared to the control group, which is not observed after treatment with anti-TIGIT mIgG1. This shows that there is a depletion of TIGIT+ Treg cells, possibly explaining the differential efficacy of the two isotypes as discussed in example 14. FIG. 18B shows that there is no depletion of CD8+ TILs, but instead a small increase is observed for the two isotypes (a 17% increase compared to control for mIgG1 and 16% for mIgG2a). These findings together result in an increase of more than 50% of the CD8/Treg ratio in tumor treated with anti-TIGIT mIgG2a (FIG. 18C). Functionality of intratumoral T cells is also improved for the group treated with anti-TIGIT mIgG2a antibody, with a strong increase in IFNg production of both CD4+(FIG. 18D) and CD8+ TILs (FIG. 18E). This resulted in a strong increase of the ratio IFN-g producing cells/IL-10 producing cells after ex vivo stimulation in the CD4+ TILs/CD8+ population (FIG. 18F).

FIG. 18G shows that combining anti-TIGIT mIgG2a with anti-PD-1 results in regulatory T cells being decreased by 33% compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Again, for CD8+ T cells the opposite is true, with 22% and 28% increase in CD8+ T cell infiltration, respectively for mIgG1 and mIgG2a isotypes, compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy (FIG. 18H). Together, this results in more than two-fold increase in the CD8+ TILs to Treg ratio in the tumor for the combination with anti-TIGIT mIgG2a (FIG. 18I). Additionally, treatment with anti-TIGIT antibody mIgG2a combined with anti-PD-1 demonstrates a shift in Th1 versus Th2 phenotype for intratumor CD4+ T cells, with a marked increase in IFNg producing CD4 cells (FIG. 18J) and a decrease in IL-10 producing CD4 cells (FIG. 18K). This resulted in a strong increase in IFNg/IL-10 producing cells after ex vivo stimulation in the CD4+ TILs population compared to mice treated with anti-PD-1 in monotherapy (FIG. 18L).

TABLE 11 Differentially expressed genes between anti- TIGIT mIgG2a and vehicle treated mice Gene symbol Log2 fold change Corrected p-value Ccr2 −1.29 0.0000668 Prf1 1.79 0.0000668 Ctsg 2.13 0.0000668 Ctla4 1.72 0.00309 Gzmb 1.51 0.00309 Ccl2 0.56 0.0174 Il2ra 1.61 0.0174 Cd55 1.64 0.0213 Il2rb 0.872 0.0379 Cd274 0.982 0.0385 Klrg1 1.3 0.0402 Icos 1.26 0.0402 Il1rn 0.87 0.0402 Cx3cr1 −0.82 0.0428 C1ra 0.896 0.0428 Cd33 −0.906 0.0479 Ccl4 0.886 0.0518

TABLE 12 Differentially expressed genes between anti-TIGIT mIgG2a + anti-PD-1 and anti-PD1 treated mice Gene symbol Log2 fold change Corrected p-value Ctsg 2.34 0.0000375 Prf1 1.69 0.000255 Gzmb 1.71 0.000766 Cd55 2.08 0.00131 Entpd1 0.839 0.00131 Klrg1 1.76 0.00132 Itga1 0.874 0.0017 Ctla4 1.72 0.00173 Il2ra 1.82 0.00237 Itgb3 0.863 0.00237 Slc11a1 0.849 0.00329 Cd36 1.44 0.0049 Cd180 0.899 0.00602 Icam1 0.893 0.00802 Cd274 1.06 0.00993 Cd40 0.926 0.0113 Eomes 1.28 0.0113 Abcg1 0.869 0.0113 Ccr2 −0.781 0.0122 Thy1 0.868 0.0165 Ccl2 0.501 0.0203 Gbp5 1.12 0.0216 Icos 1.24 0.0263 Tgfbr2 0.458 0.0278 H2 K1 0.292 0.0307 Sh2d1a 0.999 0.0307 Il2rb 0.808 0.0307 Selplg 0.64 0.031 Bst1 0.702 0.0317 Cd247 1 0.032 Irf8 0.699 0.0365 Il21r 0.899 0.0392 Gbp2b 1.11 0.0392 Stat1 0.865 0.0427 C4b 0.922 0.0428 Abca1 0.537 0.044 Trem2 0.482 0.0454

B. Transcriptomics Analysis of Tumor by NanoString

To investigate the in vivo mode of action of anti-TIGIT antibody, the immune cell infiltrate of tumours treated with anti-TIGIT, in monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1, was analysed by transcriptomic analysis (Nanostring). Mice were inoculated and treated as described in Example 12. Two days after the third treatment with anti-TIGIT and/or anti-PD1 antibodies, mice were sacrificed and tumors harvested. RNA was extracted and the expression of a selection of 770 genes involved in cancer immunology was directly quantified with the nCounter technology (PanCancer Immune Profiling panel, Nanostring; performed by VIB Nucleomics Core). Data were analyzed with nSolver software (Nanostring).

FIG. 19A shows a volcano plot of the genes that are differentially regulated between vehicle treated mice and anti-TIGIT mIgG2a treated mice. Highly statistically significant genes fall at the top of the plot, and highly differentially expressed genes fall to either side (left: downregulated in anti-TIGIT treated mice, right: upregulated in anti-TIGIT treated mice). Examples of highly upregulated genes include perforin, granzyme B and CTLA-4. The solid line represents a non-corrected p-value of 0.01, the dotted line a corrected p-value of 0.05 (Benjamini-Hochberg correction). Table 11 and Table 12 show the genes that were significantly differentially expressed for anti-TIGIT mIgG2a compared with vehicle and aPD-1+ anti-TIGIT mIgG2a versus anti-PD1 respectively. When multiple genes were summarized in scores for functional subsets of immune cells, the most striking finding was an increase in cytotoxic cell and CD8+ T cell score (FIG. 19B). The same changes were present in mice treated with anti-PD-1+ anti-TIGIT mIgG2a compared to anti-PD-1 alone. No changes were observed in mice treated with anti-TIGIT mIgG1, in monotherapy or in combination with anti-PD-1.

Altogether, these results demonstrate that the anti-tumour efficacy observed after in vivo treatment with anti-TIGIT antibody is mediated by a decreased Treg infiltrate in the tumour while CD8+ effector T cell population is increased. In addition, effector function of CD4+ and CD8+ TILs are increased as shown by the higher proportion of IFNg producing cells, the shift towards Th1 response and the increased expression of genes important for T cell cytotoxic functions.

Example 15: Antibody Dependent Cellular Toxicity (ADCC) Activity Induced by Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies

A. In Vitro ADCC on Human PBMC from Healthy Donors

Isolated PBMCs from healthy human donors were resuspended in complete RPMI medium (supplemented with 10% FBS heat inactivated+50 U Penicilin+50 U Streptomycin, and supplemented with 200 IU IL-2/ml). 2.5×105 human PBMCs were distributed per well in 96 U well plate. Anti-human TIGIT antibody clone 26452 produced in mammalian cells or IgG1 isotype control (Biolegend, 403102) were added at a final concentration of 66.6; 0.66 and 0,006 nM to each corresponding well. Cells were incubated for 20 h at 37° C. with 5% CO2. Then cells were collected and stained with the following antibody panel: LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14), ant-TCRab-PercP-Cy5.5 (Clone IP26, Biolegend 306723), anti-CD4-BV510 (Clone SK3, BD Horizon 562970), anti-CD8-APC-Cy7 (Clone SK1, Biolegend 344714), anti-CD25-BV605 (Clone 2A3, Biolegend 562660), anti-CD127-APC (A019D5, Biolegend 351316), anti-CCR7-BV421 (Clone G043H7, Biolegend 353207) and anti-CD45RO-PE-Cy7 (Clone UCHL1, Biolegend 304229). Results are presented on gated live cells. CD45+ CD4+ or CD45+ CD8+ represent the total CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. CD45+RO+ CD4+ or CD45+RO+ CD8+ cells represent the memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cells while CD25hiCD127lowCD4+ represent Treg cells. The proportion of TIGIT+ cells on gated Tregs is higher than on gated memory CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells, as shown in FIG. 20A.

Absolute quantification is done using AccuCheck Counting beads (Life technologies) following manufacturer's specifications. After calculation of absolute cell numbers per μl, % of specific lysis is calculated using the following formula=(1−(absolute number of cells per μl on 26452 TIGIT antibody treated sample/average of triplicate of no antibody treatment))×100. As shown in FIG. 20B anti-TIGIT 26452 hIgG1 antibody triggers higher specific lysis on Tregs (62.22%) than on total CD8+ T cells (12.2%) or total CD4+ T cells (16.36%).

B. Ex-Vivo ADCC on Mouse Tumor

To confirm that anti-TIGIT mouse IgG2a antibody can deplete TIGIT+ regulatory T cells, an ex-vivo ADCC assay was set-up. Female Balb/c mice of 8 weeks were inoculated with 500.000 CT26 colon cancer cells (ATCC® CRL-2638™) subcutaneously. Three weeks after inoculation, tumors were harvested and dissociated with a tumor dissociation kit (Miltenyi Biotec). The single cell suspension was incubated with 133 nM anti-TIGIT antibody 26493 (mIgG1 or mIgG2a isotype) for 20 h (1 million cells/200 W in RPMI+10% FBS). After 20 h, cells were stained with anti-CD4, anti-TIGIT, anti-CD8 and anti-FoxP3 antibodies (all from eBioscience) after staining with a viability dye (Molecular Probes, L34955) and Fc-block.

FIG. 21 shows the % decrease in absolute TIGIT+ cell counts compared to treatment with isotype control for the different TIGIT+ immune subsets. The strongest decrease after anti-TIGIT mIgG2a antibody treatment is evident in regulatory T cells (around 40% decrease), suggesting that these cells are more susceptible to ADCC than conventional CD4+ or CD8+ T cells.

Overall, these results demonstrate the efficacy of anti-TIGIT hIgG1 or mIgG2a to deplete TIGIT+ immune cells with a stronger activity demonstrated on Treg population.

Example 16: Immunogenicity Prediction Using in Silico Analysis

Immunogenic potential of clones 29494 and 29489 as well as its variant 31282 was assessed by in silico prediction using EpiMatrix Protein Score (De Groot et al. (2009) Clinical Immunol. 131:189). To complete the analysis, the input sequences were parsed into overlapping 9-mer frames and each frame was evaluated with respect to a panel of eight common Class II HLA alleles. These alleles are “super-types”. Each one is functionally equivalent to, or nearly equivalent to, many additional “family member” alleles. Taken collectively, these eight super-type alleles, along with their respective family members, “cover” well over 95% of the human population (Southwood et al. (1998) J. Immunol 160:3363). Each frame-by-allele “assessment” is a statement about predicted HLA binding affinity. EpiMatrix assessment scores range from approximately −3 to +3 and are normally distributed. EpiMatrix assessment scores above 1.64 are defined as “hits”; that is to say potentially immunogenic and worthy of further consideration.

All other factors being equal, the more HLA ligands (i.e. EpiMatrix hits) contained in a given protein, the more likely that protein is to induce an immune response. The EpiMatrix Protein Score is the difference between the number of predicted T cell epitopes expected to be found in a protein of a given size and the number of putative epitopes predicted by the EpiMatrix System. The EpiMatrix Protein Score is correlated with observed immunogenicity. EpiMatrix Protein Scores are “normalized” and can be plotted on a standardized scale. The EpiMatrix Protein Score of an “average” protein is zero. EpiMatrix Protein Scores above zero indicate the presence of excess MHC ligands and denote a higher potential for immunogenicity while scores below zero indicate the presence of fewer potential MHC ligands than expected and a lower potential for immunogenicity. Proteins scoring above +20 are considered to have a significant immunogenic potential.

Adjusting for the Presence of Regulatory T Cell Epitopes.

Antibodies are unique proteins in that the amino acid sequences of their variable domains, especially their Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs), can vary to an extraordinary extent. It is this variability that allows antibodies to recognize a wide variety of antigens. However, the recombination and mutation events that control antibody maturation can also produce new or neo-T cell epitopes. These neo-epitopes can appear to be “foreign” to circulating T cells. The presence of neo-epitopes in antibody sequences can lead to the formation of a human-anti-human antibody response; also known as the HAHA response or ADA (Anti-Drug-Antibodies).

Regulatory T cells play an important role in suppressing immune responses to fully human proteins in the periphery, including those containing mutated and/or highly variable sequences such as antibody CDRs. Regulatory T cells are engaged and activated by regulatory T cell epitopes. The inherent risk associated with the presence of neo-epitopes in antibody sequences appears to be balanced by the presence of naturally occurring regulatory T cell epitopes.

By screening the sequences of many human antibody isolates, EpiVax has identified several highly conserved HLA ligands which are believed to have a regulatory potential. Experimental evidence suggests many of these peptides are, in fact, actively tolerogenic in most subjects. These highly conserved, regulatory, and promiscuous T cell epitopes are now known as Tregitopes (De Groot et al. (2008) Blood 112:3303)

In many cases, the immunogenic potential of neo-epitopes contained in humanized antibodies can be effectively controlled in the presence of significant numbers of Tregitopes. For the purposes of antibody immunogenicity analysis, EpiVax has developed a Tregitope-adjusted EpiMatrix Score and corresponding prediction of anti-therapeutic antibody response. To calculate the Tregitope-adjusted EpiMatrix Score, the scores of the Tregitopes are deducted from the EpiMatrix Protein Score. The Tregitope-adjusted scores have been shown to be well correlated with observed clinical immune response for a set of 23 commercial antibodies (De Groot et al. (2009) Clinical Immunol. 131:189).

Clones 29489, 29494 and 31282 antibody sequences score on the low end of EpiMatrix scale, indicating limited potential for immunogenicity. Regression analysis of licensed monoclonal antibodies predicts ADA response in ˜0% of exposed patients for antibody clone 29489 and 31282. For clone 29494, analysis predicts ADA response in 2.78% of exposed patients for the baseline VH sequence, and 2.88% for the variant VH sequence. Data are summarized in Table 13, below.

TABLE 13 EpiMatrix and Tregitope adjusted EpiMatrix Scores Tregitope adjusted Input EpiMatrix EpiMatrix EpiMatrix Sequence Length Assessments Hits Score Score 29489_VH 121 904 40 −19.41 −47.26 29489_VL 108 800 39 −17.58 −51.75 31282_VH 121 904 40 −19.41 −47.26 31282_VL 108 800 39 −17.58 −51.75 29494_VH 125 936 54 2.68 −7.18 29494_VL 107 792 40 −12.2 −38.83

Example 17: Affinity Determination for Binding of Anti-TIGIT Clones to Recombinant Human TIGIT Protein

Antibody 31282 was compared against anti-TIGIT antibody clones described in other patent applications. Specifically, 31282 was compared with: 4.1D3.Q1E (also referred to as 4.1D3, from WO2017/053748); 22G2 (from WO2016106302); 3106 (from WO2016/028656); 313M2 (from WO2016/191643); and TIG1 (from WO2017/152088). The references and sequences of the compared antibody clones are shown in Table 14 below:

TABLE 14 Sequences of VH and VL domains of comparative anti-TIGIT antibodies a-TIGIT clone Reference Sequence 4.1D3.Q1E VH: SEQ ID NO: 34 of VH sequence: WO2017/053748 EVQLQQSGPGLVKPSQTLSLTCAISGDSVSSNSAAWNWIR VL: SEQ ID NO: 36 of QSPSRGLEWLGKTYYRFKWYSDYAVSVKGRITINPDTSKN WO2017/053748 QFSLQLNSVTPEDTAVFYCTRESTTYDLLAGPFDYWGQGT LVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 343 herein) VL sequence: DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKSSQTVLYSSNNKKYLA WYQQKPGQPPNLLIYWASTRESGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLT ISSLQAEDVAVYYCQQYYSTPFTFGPGTKVEIK  (SEQ ID NO: 344 herein) 22G2 VH: SEQ ID NO: 7 of VH sequence: WO2016/106302 QVHLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGSVSSGIYYWSWIR VL: SEQ ID NO: 9 of QPPGKGLEWIGYIYYSGSTNYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKNQFS WO2016/106302 LKLSSVTAADTAVYYCARDYYVSGNYYNVDYYFFGVDV WGQGTTVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 345 herein) VL sequence: EIVLTQSPATLSLSPGERATLSCRASQSVSSYLAWYQQKPG QAPRLLIYDASNRATGIPARFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLEPEDF AVYYCQQRSNWPPLFTFGPGTKVDIK (SEQ ID NO: 346 herein) 31C6 VH: SEQ ID NO: 127 of VH sequence: (MEB125.31C WO2016/028656 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFSSYVMHWVR 6.A1.205 VL: SEQ ID NO: 130 of QAPGQGLEWIGYIDPYNDGAKYAQKFQGRVTLTSDKSTS VH4/VL1) WO2016/028656 TVYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARGGPYGWYFDVWGQGTTV TVSS (SEQ ID NO: 347 herein) VL sequence: DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASEHIYSYLSWYQQKPG KAPKLLIYNAKTLAEGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDF ATYYCQHHFGSPLTFGQGTRLEIK (SEQ ID NO: 348 herein) 313M32 VH: SEQ ID NO: 67 of VH sequence: WO2016/191643 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCAVSGYSITSDYAWNWIRQ VL: SEQ ID NO: 68 of PPGKGLEWIGYISYSGSTSYNPSLRSRVTISRDTSKNQFFLK WO2016/191643 LSSVTAADTAVYYCARRQVGLGFAYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 349 herein) VL sequence: DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCKASQDVSTAVAWYQQKP GKAPKLLIYSASYRYTGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTFTISSLQPED IATYYCQQHYSTPWTFG (SEQ ID NO: 350 herein) TIG1 VH: SEQ ID NO: 10 of VH sequence: WO2017/152088 DVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSRKLSCAASGFTFSNFGMHWVRQ VL: SEQ ID NO: 14 of APEKGLEWVAFISSGSSSIYYADTVKGRFTISRDNPKNTLF WO2017/152088 LQMTSLRSEDTAMYYCARMRLDYYAMDYWGQGTSVTV SS (SEQ ID NO: 351 herein) VL sequence: DVQITQSPSYLAASPGETITINCRASKSISKYLAWYQEKPG KTNKLLIYSGSTLQSGIPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLEPEDFA MYYCQQHNEYPWTFGGGTKLEIK (SEQ ID NO: 352 herein)

A. Production in Mammalian Cells

In order to produce sufficient amounts of selected a-TIGIT clones for further characterization, DNA vectors coding for specific antibody clones (clones 31282_up, 4.1D3, 22G2, 3106, 313M32 and TIG1) were generated and transduced into HEK cells for production of human IgG1 isotype. Human codon optimized synthetic DNA fragments for antibody variable domains were ordered at Geneart. Variable domain sequences were seamlessly ligated into pUPE expression vectors containing the mouse IgKappa signal sequence and constant regions of the respective antibody class. Expression vectors were verified by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. For transient transfection Endotoxin free DNA maxipreps (Sigma) were produced and heavy and light chain vectors were co-transfected to HEK293EBNA1 cells, in Freestyle medium (ThermoFisherScientific), according to established protocols. Primatone (0.55% final volume) was added 24 hours post-transfection. Conditioned medium was harvested 6 days post transfection. Antibodies were purified batch wise by Mabselect sureLX (GE Healthcare) affinity chromatography. Bound antibodies were washed in 2 steps with PBS containing 1M NaCl and PBS. Antibodies were eluted with 20 mM Citrate 150 mM NaCl pH3 and neutralized to approximately pH7 with 1/6 volume of 1M K2HPO4/KH2PO4 pH8.

Next the antibodies were further purified by gel-filtration using a Superdex200 column, equilibrated in PBS. Fractions were analysed by NuPAGE and antibody containing fractions were pooled. The final products were sterilized over a 0.22 μM syringe filter. The product was analysed by NuPAGE and endotoxin levels were measured by LAL-assay.

Additionally, clone 31282 was also produced in CHO-K1 cell as follow (clone 31282_wu) on IgG1 or IgG4 isotype. DNA vectors coding for the antibodies were constructed and transfected into CHO-K1 cells. CHO codon optimized DNA fragments for antibody variable domains were synthesized, and ligated into expression vectors containing the signal sequence and constant regions of the respective antibody class. Expression vectors were verified by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. Heavy and light chain vectors were co-transfected to CHO-K1 cells by electroporation (Bio-rad) according to established protocols. The transfected cultures were scaled up and inoculated into fed-batch cultures. Conditioned medium was harvested after 14 days of fed-batch cultures.

Harvested cell culture was firstly clarified by two stages of depth filtration with DOHC and A1HC (Millipore) connected in series. Then, the clarified harvest was firstly purified by affinity chromatography with MabSelect SuRe (GE Healthcare). Bound antibodies were washed in 2 steps with 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 5.5) containing 1 M NaCl and 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 5.5). Antibodies were then eluted with 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 3.5) and neutralized to approximately pH 5.5 with 1 M Tris-HCl (pH 9.0).

Next the neutralized intermediate was further polished by anion exchange chromatography (AEX) using POROS HQ50 (Life Tech) in flow-through mode. The column was equilibrated by 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 5.5) before loading. AEX flow throughcollected during loading and recovering step was further polished by cation exchange chromatography (CEX) in bind-elute mode using POROS XS (Life Tech). The CEX column was equilibrated in 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 5.5), and the antibodies were eluted out by linear gradient elution (LGE) to reach 50 mM NaAc—HAc (pH 5.5) containing 0.5 M NaCl in 10 CV. The final ultrafiltration and dia-filtration (UF/DF) using Pellicon 3, ultracel 30 kD, type A (Millipore) was performed to concentrate the CEX eluate and exchange buffer into 20 mM His-HCl (pH 5.5). Afterwards, Polysorbate 80 (PS80) and sucrose was added into the dia-filtrated sample to obtain the final product of which the concentration was proximately 20 g/L, in the buffer of 20 mM His-HCl, 0.01% (w/w) PS 80, and 9% (w/v) sucrose (pH 5.5). The product had gone through all PQA tests. The SEC purity, Endotoxin level and other criteria had all met the requirement.

B. Biacore Measurement

Biosensor analysis was conducted at 25° C. in a HBS-EP buffer system (10 mM HEPES pH 7.3, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% Tween20) using Biacore T200 technology, CMS sensor chip (run at Novalix, France). The sample hotel was maintained at 8° C. Goat anti-human IgG capture antibody (Fcγ fragment specific, Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories) was immobilized (10000 RU) to both flow cells of the sensor chip using standard amine coupling chemistry. This surface type provided a format for reproducibly capturing fresh analysis antibody after each regeneration step. Flow cell 2 was used to analyse captured antibody while flow cell 1 was used as a reference flow cell. 6 different antigen concentrations ranging from 30 to 0.123 nM were prepared in running buffer. Each of the antigen sample concentrations were run as a single replicate, except 3.33 nM run in duplicate. Two blank (buffer) injections also were run and used to assess and subtract system artefacts. The association (300 s) and dissociation (600 s) phases for all antigen concentrations were performed at a flow rate of 30 μl/min. The surface was regenerated with three sequential injections (15 s, 15 s and 60 s) of 10 mM glycine-HCl, pH 1.5. The obtained sensorgrams were fitted globally to a 1:1 model (assuming the same kinetic values for all applied concentrations). Affinity was also determined from steady state for clone 313M32 as 1:1 kinetic model fitting was not reliable, showing equilibrium with human TIGIT at the end of the association time. Results obtained for the different a-TIGIT clones are reported in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Kinetic and affinity evaluation Kinetic model 1:1 Binding Steady State Model Ka Kd K_(d) Rmax K_(d) Rmax Clone (1/s) (1/s) (nM) (RU) (nM) (RU) 31282_wu 3.86⁺⁰⁶ 4.62⁻⁰⁴ 0.120 16.7 31282_up 3.70⁺⁰⁶ 4.75⁻⁰⁴ 0.128 15.3 4.1D3 1.07⁺⁰⁶ 4.72⁻⁰⁵ 0.044 14.4 22G2 2.51⁺⁰⁶ 1.78⁻⁰⁴ 0.071 11.1 31C6 3.10⁺⁰⁶ 2.09⁻⁰⁴ 0.067 16.7 313M32 na na na na 10.1 17.2 TIG1 5.24⁺⁰⁶ 1.31⁻⁰² 2.49  11.1

Example 18: Cellular Binding of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibodies

A. Binding of Anti-TIGIT Clones to Jurkat-hTIGIT

The affinity of human anti-TIGIT antibodies has been measured using Jurkat E6.1 cells transduced with human-TIGIT (Jurkat hTIGIT). To analyse the affinity of the selected antibodies for hTIGIT, 105 cells were distributed per well and incubated with decreasing concentration (8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.25; 0.125; 0.062; 0.031; 0.016; 8×10⁻³ and 4×10⁻³ nM) of various anti-TIGIT antagonist antibody clones (FIG. 2). Antibodies were incubated with the cells for 20 min at 4° C. in FACS buffer. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min on ice and washed twice. Fluorescence intensity was analysed using LSR BD Fortessa and cell binding was recorded as the median fluorescence intensity of PE in cells expressing TIGIT at their surface.

The half-maximal concentration of binding (EC50) to Jurkat-hTIGIT was calculated using a four-variable curve-fit equation in Prism. The results are illustrated in FIG. 22A and the values summarized in the Table 16 below. EC50 values for binding Jurkat-hTIGIT are very close for clone 31282 with no marked difference between antibody produced in HEK cells (31282_up, 0.13 nM) or in CHO-K1 cells (31282-wu, 0.10 nM). Clone 3106 and TIG1 also show EC50 values below 0.2 nM while affinity for other clones (4.1D3, 22G2 and 313M32) is lower and results show EC50 values ranging from 0.267 to 0.445 nM. Results demonstrate a strong binding to membrane expressed human TIGIT in an engineered system for anti-TIGIT clones 31282, 3106 and TIG1 while other clones have a lower affinity.

TABLE 16 EC₅₀ data and comparison of different a- TIGIT clones for binding to Jurkat-hTIGIT Fold change of EC₅₀ EC₅₀ binding to over EC₅₀ of best Clone Jurkat-hTIGIT (in nM) clone (31282_wu) 31282_wu 0.10 1 31282_up 0.13 1.3 313M32 0.44 4.2 4.1D3 0.27 2.5 22G2 0.32 3.0 31C6 0.13 1.2 TIG1 0.17 1.6

B. Binding of Anti-TIGIT Clones to Primary CD8⁺ T Cells from Healthy Human PBMCs

Isolated human PBMCs from healthy volunteers were analysed for binding by antagonist anti-TIGIT antibodies. Cells were distributed at 1×105 cells per well. Cells were incubated with anti-CD16 (Clone 3G8, BioLegend 302002), CD32 (Clone FLI8.26, BD Bioscience 557333) and CD64 (BD Bioscience 555525) at room temperature for 10 min, and the indicated anti-human TIGIT antibody clones were directly added at a final concentration of 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.25; 0.125; 0.062; 0.031; 0.016; 8×10−3 and 4×10−3 nM in FACS buffer and incubated for 20 min at 4° C. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min at 4° C. Then, cells were washed and incubated with the following antibodies and LVD mix: anti-CD4-PercP-Cy5.5 (clone A161A1, BioLegend 357414); anti-CD8-BV510 (clone SK1, BD Bioscience 563919) and LVD efluor 660 (eBioscience 65-0864-18).

The EC50 values for binding to CD8+ human primary T cells were calculated using the MFI signal on living TIGIT+ CD8+ T cells. The results are illustrated in FIG. 22B and the EC50 concentrations summarized in the Table 17 below. EC50 values for binding human primary CD8+ T cells are very close for clone 31282 with no marked difference between antibody produced in HEK cells (31282_up, 0.21 nM) or in CHO-K1 cells (31282-wu, 0.19 nM). Comparison between the different clones of antagonist a-TIGIT antibodies show the best EC50 value for binding on human primary CD8+ T cells for clone 31282_wu (0.19 nM) and clone 31282_up (0.21 nM). Clones 3106 and TIG1 show a difference in EC50 of 2 fold while clone 22G2, 313M32 and 4.1D3 differs by a factor of 6.1 to 9.7 fold. Overall, 31282_wu and 31282_up show the best binding to membrane expressed TIGIT on human primary CD8+ T cells.

TABLE 17 EC₅₀ data and comparison of different a-TIGIT clones for binding to Human primary CD8⁺ T cells Fold change of EC₅₀ EC₅₀ concentration for binding over EC₅₀ of best Clone to CD8⁺ T cells (in nM) clone (31282_wu) 31282_wu 0.19 1 31282_up 0.21 1.1 313M32 1.45 7.5 4.1D3 1.88 9.7 22G2 1.17 6.1 31C6 0.39 2.0 TIG1 0.38 2.0

C. Binding of Anti-TIGIT Clones to Primary CD8⁺ T Cells from Cancer Patients PBMCs

Isolated human PBMCs from cancer patients were analysed for binding by different antagonist anti-TIGIT antibody clones. Cells were distributed at 1×105 cells per well. Cells were incubated with anti-CD16 (Clone 3G8, BioLegend 302002), CD32 (Clone FLI8.26, BD Bioscience 557333) and CD64 (BD Bioscience 555525) at room temperature for 10 min, and the indicated anti-human TIGIT antibodies were directly added at a final concentration of: 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.062 and 0.031 nM in FACS buffer and incubated for 20 min at 4° C. After washing, cells were incubated with anti-human Ig (Fc gamma specific)-PE (eBioscience, 12-4998-82, at 2.5 μg/ml) for 20 min at 4° C. Then, cells were washed and incubated with the following antibodies and life viability dye (LVD) mix: anti-CD4-PercP-Cy5.5 (clone A161A1, BioLegend 357414); anti-CD8-BV510 (clone SK1, BD Bioscience 563919) and LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14). Cells were washed and fixed and surface staining was quantified using BD LSR Fortessa. Flow cytometry data was analysed using FlowJo V10.1. TIGIT MFI on gated LVD-TIGIT+ CD8+ cells was used to calculate EC50 values. Nonlinear regression curves are shown on FIG. 22C and the values summarized in Table 18 below.

Clones 31282_wu and 31282_up show very close EC50 value for binding on CD8+ T cells from cancer patients with concentration of 0.14 and 0.12 nM, respectively. The rest of the clones show lower affinity with clone 3106, TIG1 and 22G2 showing a 1.5, 2.7 and 3.1 fold lower affinity, respectively. Measured EC50 value for clone 313M32 is 8.3 fold lower compared to clone 31282_up. Clone 4.1D3 shows the lowest affinity, binding with a difference of 9.5 fold to the best clone tested.

TABLE 18 EC₅₀ data and comparison of different a-TIGIT clones for binding to Human primary CD8⁺ T cells from cancer patients Fold change of EC₅₀ EC₅₀ value for CD8⁺ over EC₅₀ of best Clone T cells binding (in nM) clone (31282) 31282_wu 0.14 1.2 31282_up 0.12 1.0 313M32 1.0 8.3 4.1D3 1.15 9.5 22G2 0.37 3.1 31C6 0.18 1.5 TIG1 0.33 2.7

Example 19: Competition Assay Between Anti-TIGIT Antagonist Antibody Clones and TIGIT Natural Ligand (CD155)

Jurkat cells overexpressing human TIGIT (Jurkat-hTIGIT) were collected and distributed at 5.10⁴ cells/well and incubated with anti-human TIGIT antibodies at the following concentrations: 133.33; 42.20; 13.33; 4.22; 1.33; 0.422; 0.133; 0.042; 0.0133; 4.2×10⁻³; 1.3×10⁻³; 4.2×10⁻⁴; 1.3×10⁻⁴; 4.2×10⁻⁵ nM in complete medium during 45 min at 37° C. Excess of antibody was washed, and then the cells were incubated with CD155-His at 15 μg/ml (Creative Biomart, PVR-3141H) for 45 min at 37° C. Then, bound CD155-His was detected using anti-His tag-PE (Biolegend, 362603, at 2 μl per test), incubated for 30 min at 4° C. Cells were analysed by FACS using BD LSRFortessa and the half concentration (IC50) that prevents CD155 binding was calculated based on the median fluorescence intensity of PE in total cells.

The results are illustrated in FIG. 23 and the values summarized in the Table 19 below. Anti-TIGIT clones 31282_wu and 31282_up show the best IC₅₀ values for CD155 competition on Jurkat cells engineered to express hTIGIT with concentration of 0.05 and 0.04 nM respectively. Other clones (4.1D3, 22G2, 3106, TIG1) have IC50 values between 0.07 and 0.09 nM while clone 313M32 clone competes with CD155 for binding to TIGIT with a much lower efficiency (0.65 nM).

TABLE 19 IC₅₀ data and comparison of different a-TIGIT clones for CD155 competition on human TIGIT Fold change of IC₅₀ IC₅₀ of CD155 competition over IC₅₀ of best Clone for TIGIT binding (in nM) clone (31282_up) 31282_wu 0.05 1.3 31282_up 0.04 1 313M32 0.65 16.7 4.1D3 0.07 1.9 22G2 0.09 2.2 31C6 0.07 1.7 TIG1 0.06 1.6

Example 20: Functional Characterization of Antagonistic Anti-TIGIT Clones

A. TIGIT Functional Assay with Jurkat-hTIGIT Cells

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor, we co-cultured Jurkat cells, that express hTIGIT and a luciferase reporter activated upon TCR engagement (Thaw-and-Use TIGIT Effector cells from Promega), with CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human PVR/CD155 and TCR activator (Thaw-and-Use CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 from Promega). The activation of TIGIT-overexpressing Jurkat cells can be induced by contact with CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells upon TCR engagement on Jurkat cells and can be increased in presence of antagonist anti-TIGIT antibody. To compare the potency of the different a-TIGIT clones to increase Jurkat cell activation, the experiment was conducted in presence of increasing antibody concentrations and the EC50 values were calculated.

CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The next day, TIGIT Effector cells (Promega, CS198811) were added according to manufacturer's recommendations to the CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 cell plates containing fresh full medium with anti-TIGIT antibody at increasing concentrations (0.03; 0.11; 0.33; 1.06; 3.34; 10.56; 33.38; 105.49; and 333 nM) and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 during 6 hours. After the 6 hours of incubation, activation of TIGIT Effector cell was assessed by measuring the luciferase activity by using Bio-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System (Promega, G7941).

As shown in FIG. 24A and summarized in Table 20, anti-TIGIT antibody 31282 has the best efficacy in term of EC50 value and maximum induction of luciferase signal in the assay. Activity observed for clone produced in HEK (31282_up) or CHO-K1 (31282_wu) cells is comparable with a maximum luciferase signal that is 8 folds higher than control isotype (Bioexcell, BE0297) and with an EC50 concentration measured at 3.3 nM and 3.5 nM respectively. By way of comparison, clones 4.1D3, 22G2 and 3106 have a maximum activity between 5.3 and 6.7 fold over isotype control, associated with an EC50 between 5 and 10 nM. EC50 values for clone 313M32 and TIG1 could not be determined due to a low activity and poor fitting of the curves at the concentrations tested (FIG. 24A).

TABLE 20 EC₅₀ data and comparison of different a-TIGIT clones for functional activity on Jurkat-hTIGIT cells Induction over Fold change of EC₅₀ Isotype control EC₅₀ over EC₅₀ of best Clone name (fold change) (nM) clone (31282_up) 31282_wu 8.4 3.5 1.1 31282_up 8.0 3.3 1   313M32 / P.F. / 4.1D3 5.8 10.3  3.1 22G2 5.3 5.2 1.6 31C6 6.7 5.3 1.6 TIG1 / P.F. / P.F.: poor fit

B. TIGIT Functional Assay on Human Primary CD8⁺ T Cells from Healthy Volunteers

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor, we co-cultured human primary CD8+ T cells from PBMC of healthy human donors with CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human PVR/CD155 and to activate human T cells. We observed that the release of IFNg by CD8+ T cells in presence of engineered CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells could be increased by blocking hTIGIT with anti-TIGIT antagonistic antibodies. To compare the potency of these antibodies to increase IFNg release, the experiment was conducted in the presence of increasing antibody concentrations and the EC50 values were calculated.

CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded in U-bottom 96-well plates according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The next day, CD8+ T cells were purified according to manufacturer's recommendations by using negative selection kit (Stemcell Technologies, 17953) from frozen human peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from total blood of healthy donors (Immunehealth). Purified CD8 T cells and increasing concentrations (0.011 nM. 0.033 nM, 0.11 nM, 0.33 nM, 1.06 nM, 3.3 nM, 10.6 nM, 33.3 nM and 105.5 nM) of antibodies were then added to CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (100,000 CD8 T cells/100 W of full medium containing antibody) and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 during 5 days. Finally, IFNg concentrations were assessed in cell supernatant using an ELISA assay (Affymetrix eBioscience, 88-7316-86) that was run according to manufacturer's recommendations.

As shown in FIG. 24B and summarized in Table 21, a-TIGIT clone 31282 and 4.1D3 display the best induction of IFNg secretion with a respective 2.7 and 2.9 fold increase over isotype control antibody. Clone 31282 has the best efficacy for induction of IFNg production in terms of EC50 concentration, which was measured at 0.13 nM. Clone 3106 shows an EC50 value 2.3 fold different while clone 22G2 and 4.1D3 are 3.1 and 10.8 fold less potent than clone 31282. No value could be determined for clone 313M32 due to a low activity and poor fitting of the curves at the concentrations tested (FIG. 24B).

TABLE 21 EC₅₀ data and comparison of different a-TIGIT clones for functional activity on human primary CD8⁺ T cells Induction over Fold change of EC₅₀ over isotype control EC₅₀ over EC₅₀ of best Clone (fold change) (nM) clone (31282_wu) 31282_wu 2.7 0.13 1 313M32 / P.F. / 4.1D3 2.9 1.43 10.8 22G2 1.5 0.41 3.1 31C6 1.6 0.30 2.3

C. TIGIT Functional Assay on Human Primary CD3⁺ T Cells from Cancer Patients

To characterize the functional consequence of blocking human TIGIT receptor on T cells from cancer patients, human primary CD3+ T cells from PBMC of a cancerous patient were co-cultured with a CHO-K1 cell line engineered to express human PVR/CD155 and to activate human T cells (CHO-TCR-CD155). We observed that the release of IFNg by CD3+ T cells in the presence of engineered CD155-expressing CHO-K1 cells could be increased by blocking hTIGIT with anti-TIGIT antagonist antibody 31282.

CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (Promega, CS198811) cells were seeded in U-bottom 96-well plates according to manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 incubator O/N. The day after, CD3+ T cells were purified according to manufacturer's recommendations by using negative selection kit (Stemcell Technologies, 17951) from fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from total blood from a cancerous patient (HNSCC) collected 24 h earlier (Biopartners). Purified CD3+ T cells and 66.7 nM of antibodies were then added to CD155 aAPC/CHO-K1 (100,000 CD3 T cells/100 W of full medium containing antibody) and incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 for 5 days. Finally, IFNg concentrations were assessed in cell supernatant using an ELISA assay (Affymetrix eBioscience, 88-7316-86) that was run according to manufacturer's recommendations.

As shown in FIG. 24C, antibody 31282 induced a strong functional activity to increase IFNg secretion, demonstrating the potential of this a-TIGIT antibody to reactivate PBMC T cells from cancer patients.

D. a-TIGIT Clone 31282 Increases Intracellular Cytokine Production in T Cells from Cancer Patient PBMC and Dissociated Tumour Cells (DTC)

In this example, intracellular flow cytometry staining was performed to assess the T cell cytokine production from freshly isolated matched PBMC and tumour infiltrated lymphocytes within dissociated tumour cells (DTC) from kidney carcinoma cancer patients. For DTC, tumours were minced mechanically then incubated with Tumor Dissociation Kit (Miltenyi Biotech #130-095-929) under rotation in a gentleMACS dissociator, following manufacturer instructions for specific tumor types. Cells were stimulated for 16 h with a T cell stimulation bead cocktail (Dynabeads, Thermo Fisher) before performing intracellular staining. During the last 3 hours of stimulation, protein Transport Inhibitor Cocktail (eBioscience) and Cell stimulation cocktail (eBioscience) were added to the cells. Conjugated antibodies were purchased from Ebioscience/Thermo Fisher Scientific, BioLegend or BD Biosciences. Surface staining was performe per manufacturer's instruction using filtered FACS buffer (PBS+2 mM EDTA+0.1% BSA) and Brilliant Stain buffer (BD #563794). Cells were blocked with appropriate Human FcBlock (BD #564220) prior to surface staining. For intracellular staining, cells were fixed and permeabilized using BD Cytofix/cytoperm solution (BD Biosciences). Cells were stained with the following antibody panel: anti-CD45-BB515 (Clone HI30, BD Horizon 564585), anti-CD73-BV421 (Clone AD2, BD Horizon 562430), anti-CD8a-BV510 (Clone SK1, BD Horizon 563919), anti-CD3-BV650 (Clone SK7, BD Horizon 563999), anti-IFNγ-BV711 (Clone 4S.B3, BD Horizon 564793), anti-IL-2-APC (MQ1-17H12, eBioscience 17-7029-82), anti-CD4-APC-R700 (Clone RPA-T4, BD Horizon 564975), LVD efluor 780 (eBioscience 65-0865-14), anti-TIGIT-PE (Clone MBSA43, eBioscience E13456-108), anti-CD39-PE-Dazzle594 (Clone A1, Biolegend 328224) and TNFα-PE-cy7 (Clone Mab11, eBioscience 25-7349-82). Acquisition was performed on a FACS Fortessa (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo, LLC). Viable cells were gated on Forward and Side scatter. T cells subsets were gated as followed: CD45+ CD3+ for PBMC and CD45+ CD3+ CD4+ and CD45+ CD3+ CD8+ for DTC. Cytokine-secreting T cells were gated using unstained and unstimulated controls.

FIG. 24D shows that intracellular content of IL2, IFNg and TNFα were all increased upon activation in presence of a-TIGIT clone 31282. This increase was observed in CD3+ T cells from PBMC in accordance with data illustrated in FIG. 24C but also in both CD4+ and CD8+ TIL from dissociated tumour cells. This demonstrates the potential of a-TIGIT clone 31282 to increase the activation of PBMC and TIL populations from cancer patient T cells.

Example 21: a-TIGIT Clone 31282 Induces Preferential Cytotoxicity of Treg in PBMC from Cancer Patients

In this example, isolated PBMCs from a lung cancer patient were resuspended in complete RPMI medium (supplemented with 10% FBS heat inactivated+50 U Penicillin+50 U Streptomycin). 2.5×105 human PBMCs were distributed per well in 96 U well plate. Anti-human TIGIT antibody clone 31282, human IgG1 isotype control (BioXcell BE0297) or Rituximab (InvivoGen hcd20-mab1) were added at a final concentration of 6.6 nM to each corresponding well. Cells were incubated for 20 h at 37° C. with 5% CO2. Then cells were collected and stained with the following antibody panel: LVD efluor 520 (eBioscience 65-0867-14), ant-TCRab-PercP-Cy5.5 (Clone IP26, Biolegend 306723), anti-CD4-BV510 (Clone SK3, BD Horizon 562970), anti-CD8-APC-Cy7 (Clone SK1, Biolegend 344714), anti-CD25-BV605 (Clone 2A3, Biolegend 562660), anti-CD127-APC (A019D5, Biolegend 351316), anti-CCR7-BV421 (Clone G043H7, Biolegend 353207) and anti-CD45RO-PE-Cy7 (Clone UCHL1, Biolegend 304229). Results are presented on gated live cells. Absolute quantification is done using AccuCheck Counting beads (Life technologies) following manufacturer's specifications. After calculation of absolute cell numbers per μl, % of specific lysis is calculated using the following formula=(1-(absolute number of cells per μl on 31282 TIGIT antibody treated sample/average of triplicate of control isotype treated samples))×100. Results are presented as mean % of specific lysis on triplicates+/−SD. The cytotoxic activity of ADCC/ADCP effector cells was assessed by measuring % of specific cell lysis on gated CD19+ cells upon incubation with Rituximab.

As shown in FIG. 25, anti-TIGIT clone 31282 triggers higher specific lysis on Tregs cells (30.1+/−3%) than on CD45RO+CCR7+/−CD8+ T cells (total memory CD8+ T cells) (˜1.48+/−6%) or CD45RO+CCR7+/−CD4+T (total memory CD4+ T cells) (0.64+/−3%). Rituximab positive control triggers 77.9% (+/−6.8%) of specific lysis on gated CD19+ cells. Overall data demonstrate a preferential depletion of Treg cells from cancer patient PBMC as compared to total memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations. Similar preferential depletion of Treg cells was observed using cells from a patient with colon adenocarcinoma.

Example 22: Characterization of TIGIT Expression on Immune Populations from Cancer Patient PBMC and Dissociated Tumour Cells

Flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the expression of TIGIT on immune cell subsets from freshly isolated matched PBMC and tumour infiltrated lymphocytes within dissociated tumour cells (DTC) from cancer patients. Samples from different indications were acquired: Ovarian cancer, Kidney cancer, HNSSC, Cutaneous carcinoma, Melanoma and Lung cancer. For DTC, tumours were minced mechanically then incubated with Tumor Dissociation Kit (Miltenyi Biotech #130-095-929) under rotation in a gentleMACS dissociator, following manufacturer instructions for specific tumour types. PBMC were isolated from whole blood on a density gradient medium (Lymphoprep Axis-Shield #1115758). Phenotyping data were compared with frozen PBMC isolated from healthy individuals (n=10).

Cells were stained per manufacturer's instruction using filtered FACS buffer (PBS+2 mM EDTA+0.1% BSA) and Brilliant Stain buffer (BD #563794). Cells were blocked with appropriate Human FcBlock (BD #564220) prior to staining and were fixed using IC fixation buffer (eBioscience #00-8222-49) prior acquisition. DTC were stained with the following antibody panel: anti-CD45-BB515 (Clone HI30, BD Horizon 564585), anti-CD73-BV421 (Clone AD2, BD Horizon 562430), anti-CD8a-BV510 (Clone SK1, BD Horizon 563919), anti-CD3-BV650 (Clone SK7, BD Horizon 563999), anti-CD56-BV711 (Clone 5.1H11, Biolegend 362542), anti-CD279-BV785 (Clone EH12.2H7, Biolegend 329930), anti-CD127-APC (Clone A019D5, Biolegend 351316), anti-CD4-APC-R700 (Clone RPA-T4, BD Horizon 564975), LVD efluor 780 (eBioscience 65-0865-14), anti-TIGIT-PE (Clone MBSA43, eBioscience E13456-108), anti-CD39-PE-Dazzle594 (Clone A1, Biolegend 328224) and CD25-PE-cy7 (Clone BC96, Biolegend 302612). PBMC were stained with the following antibody panel: anti-CD45RO-BB515 (Clone UCHL1, BD Horizon 564529), anti-CD73-BV421 (Clone AD2, BD Horizon 562430), anti-CD8a-BV510 (Clone SK1, BD Horizon 563919), anti-CD3-BV650 (Clone SK7, BD Horizon 563999), anti-CD56-BV711 (Clone 5.1H11, Biolegend 362542), anti-CD197-BV786 (Clone 3D12, BD Horizon 563710), anti-CD127-APC (Clone A019D5, Biolegend 351316), anti-CD4-APC-R700 (Clone RPA-T4, BD Horizon 564975), LVD efluor 780 (eBioscience 65-0865-14), anti-TIGIT-PE (Clone MBSA43, eBioscience E13456-108), anti-CD39-PE-Dazzle594 (Clone A1, Biolegend 328224) and CD25-PE-cy7 (Cl bone BC96, Biolegend 302612). Acquisition was performed on a FACS Fortessa (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo, LLC). Viable cells were gated on Forward and Side scatter. Various Immune cells subsets were gated as followed: CD3+ CD4+ CD127+ CD25-(CD3+ CD4+ non-Treg cells), CD3+ CD4+ CD127low CD25+(regulatory T cells), CD3+ CD8+(CD3+ CD8+ T cells), CD3− CD56+(NK cells), CD3+ CD56+(NKT cells), CD3− CD56-(non-T/NK cells). Quantibrite PE beads (BD #340495) were run at the same instrument settings and used to convert fluorescence data into number of antibodies bound per cell.

Frequency of TIGIT expression on different immune populations is represented in FIG. 26A and TIGIT density for each subset is represented in FIG. 26B using Box and whiskers representation using the Tukey method to compute percentiles.

Data show that TIGIT frequency on T cell subset is higher on PBMC from cancer patients as compared to PBMC from healthy donors. This frequency is further increased on DTC TILS (FIG. 26A). While the same observation is made looking at the density of TIGIT on the surface of CD3+ CD4+ non-Treg cells and CD4+ Treg cells, for CD3+ CD8+ T cells the number of TIGIT molecules per cell is decreased on DTC TILS (FIG. 26B).

Example 23: Structural and Functional Epitope Mapping of TIGIT and Clone 31282

To further characterize and understand the interaction between anti-TIGIT mAb clone 31282 and TIGIT recombinant protein, the crystal structure of 31282 in complex with TIGIT was determined by X-ray diffraction.

A. TIGIT and Fab Expression, Purification and Crystallization

Human TIGIT residues 23-128 was produced by Proteros Biostructures GmbH. TIGIT (23-128) with N-terminal HIS-tag (thrombin cleavable) was cloned into pET15b and expressed in LB medium in B121(DE3) at 37° C. in inclusion bodies. Inclusion bodies (IBs) were washed with buffer containing Tris/HCl pH 7.4 and Tris/HCl pH 7.4, 0.05% Brij-35. IBs were denaturated with 6 M Gdm/HCl, 50 mM Tris pH 8.5 and 10 mM DTT. Refolding was performed in 50 mM Tris/HCl pH8, 1 mM GSH, 0.5 mM GSSG, 150 mM NaCl. Refolded protein was purified on HIS-trap. The N-terminal HIS-tag was removed via Thrombin cleavage and further purification on Superdex-75 equilibrated in 50 mM Tris/HCl pH 7.5, 200 mM NaCl.

For Fab fragment expression, HEK293F cell were grown in Freestyle F17 with 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine and 0.1% Pluronic. Expanded cultures for transfection were cultivated in 3 L Erlenmeyer flasks (Corning, 2 L cell culture working volume, 37° C., 8% v/v CO2,

80-120 rpm, 50 mm amplitude). The culture was diluted one day before transfection and the cell number adjusted to 1×106 cells/ml. The volume of the expression culture was 6 L. A transient transfection was performed with plasmids for light and heavy chain of Fab. A MasterMix of DNA/FectoPro (FectoPro, PolyPlus) was prepared in pure F17 Medium and incubated for 10 minutes (according to PolyPlus protocol). This transfection mix was added to the cell suspension dropwise and the Booster was added immediately. 18 hrs after transfection the culture was fed with 3 g/L glucose.

For purification of the Fab fragment, 6 L supernatant of HEK293 cell culture was harvested by centrifugation 6 days after transfection and applied to a 30 ml KappaSelect column. KappaSelect was washed with PBS pH 7.4, eluted with sodium citrate pH 3 and Fab containing fractions were neutralized with Tris buffer. Fab was further purified on Superdex S-200 column equilibrated in 20 mM Tris pH 8, 100 mM NaCl and stored at −80° C. until further use.

For the Fab-TIGIT complex formation, purified TIGIT was mixed with purified Fab in a ratio of 1.5:1 and the complex was purified on Superdex-200 equilibrated in 20 mM Tris pH 8, 100 mM NaCl. The Fab-TIGIT complex was concentrated to 35 mg/ml for crystallization. The Fab-TIGIT complex was crystallized at 277K using the vapour diffusion method by mixing 0.1 μl protein solution (35.3 mg/ml in 20 mM TRIS pH 8.0; 100 mM NaCl) in a 1:1 ratio with reservoir solution (0.10 M Sodium cacodylate pH 6.00; 15% (w/v) PEG4000). Crystals were cryo-protected by immersing them in reservoir solution with 25% glycerol added.

B. Data Collection and Processing

A cryo-protocol was established using Proteros Biostructures GmbH Standard Protocols. Crystals have been flash-frozen and measured at a temperature of 100 K. X-ray diffraction data was collected from Fab:TIGIT complex crystals at the SWISS LIGHT SOURCE (SLS, Villigen, Switzerland) using cryogenic conditions. The crystals belong to space group P1. Data were processed using the programmes XDS and XSCALE. Data collection and processing statistics can be found in Table 22.

TABLE 22 Data collection and processing statistics X-Ray source PXII/X10SA (SLS¹) Wavelenght [Å] 1.0000 Detector PILATUS 6M Temperature [K] 100     Space group P1 Cell: a; b; c; [Å] 41.73; 71.46; 110.26 α; β; γ; [°] 96.7; 95.8; 106.5 Resolution [Å]   2.31 (2.56-2.31) Unique reflections 50537 (13271) Multiplicity 2.0 (1.9) Completeness [%] 96.1 (95.3) R_(sym) [%]  8.1 (43.5) R_(meas) [%] 11.0 (59.1) Mean(I)/sd³ 8.11 (1.94) ¹SWISS LIGHT SOURCE (SLS, Villigen, Switzerland) ²values in parenthesis refer to the highest resolution bin ³calculated from independent reflections

C. Structure Modelling and Refinement

The phase information necessary to determine and analyse the structure was obtained by molecular replacement. A previously solved structure of Fab was used as a search model. Subsequent model building and refinement was performed according to standard protocols with the software packages CCP4 and COOT. For the calculation of the free R-factor, a measure to cross-validate the correctness of the final model, about 2.5% of measured reflections were excluded from the refinement procedure (see Table 23).

TLS refinement (using REFMACS, CCP4) has been carried out, which resulted in lower R-factors and higher quality of the electron density map. Automatically generated local NCS restraints have been applied (keyword “ncsr local” of newer REFMACS versions). The ligand parameterisation and generation of the corresponding library files were carried out with CHEMSKETCH and LIBCHECK (CCP4), respectively.

The water model was built with the “Find waters” algorithm of COOT by putting water molecules in peaks of the Fo-Fc map contoured at 3.0 followed by refinement with REFMACS and checking all waters with the validation tool of COOT. The criteria for the list of suspected waters were: B-factor greater 80 A2, 2Fo-Fc map less than 1.2 σ, distance to closest contact less than 2.3 Å or more than 3.5 Å. The suspected water molecules and those in the ligand binding site (distance to ligand less than 10 Å) were checked manually. The final complex structure was refined with PHENIX. We chose the refinement parameter including XYZ coordinates, Real space, Individual B-factors and Group B-factors. Optimize X-ray/stereochemistry weight and NCS restraints were also chosen for refinement. The Ramachandran Plot of the final model shows 95.39% of all residues in the preferred region, 3.95% in the allowed region. Statistics of the final structure and the refinement process are listed in Table 23.

TABLE 23 Refinement statistics¹ Resolution [Å] 108.40-2.31 Number of reflections (working/test) 49289/1247 R_(work) 0.2025 R_(free) [%] 0.2466 Total number of atoms: Protein 8282 Water 676 Deviation from ideal geometry: ³ Bond lengths [Å] 0.003 Bond angles [deg] 0.771 Ramachandran plot: ² Preferred regions [%] 95.39 Allowed regions [%] 3.95 Disallowed regions [%] 0.66 ¹values as defined in PHENIX ² Calculated with COOT

D. Overall Structure

The heavy and light chains of the human Fab antibody fragment show the typical folding of human antibodies (FIG. 27A). There are two hetero-trimers in the asymmetric unit with basically the same overall conformation. The model comprises residues 23 to 128 of TIGIT, residues 1 to 224 of the heavy chain of clone 31282 and residues 1 to 214 of the light chain of clone 31282. One short loop region of the heavy chain is not fully defined by electron density and has thus not been included in the model.

Diffraction images were analysed using FoldX program to estimate energy contribution of residues and define interaction hotspots. The amino acid residues forming the binding interface are well defined in the electron density map. The interpreted X-ray diffraction data show clearly the interactions between the Fab and TIGIT (FIGS. 27B and 27C). Clone 31282 light chain CDR are interacting with 2 regions of TIGIT with CDR L1 Arg30 and Tyr33 contacting TIGIT residues Asn58 and Glu60; with CDR L1 Arg30 and CDR L3 Phe93 contacting TIGIT residue Ile109. CDR L2 has no contact with TIGIT (Table 24). Clone 31282 heavy chain interacts with different regions of TIGIT with CDR H1 Tyr33 contacting TIGIT on residue Leu73; with CDR H2 Va150, Ser54 and Ser57 contacting TIGIT on residue Leu73; with CDR H3 Asp102, Tyr103 and Trp104 contacting TIGIT on residue Gln56, Ile68, Leu73 and His76.

Based on this crystal structure of the a-TIGIT clone 31282/TIGIT complex, the residues of TIGIT that are contacted by clone 31282 (epitope residues for TIGIT bound by clone 31282) and the residues of clone 31282 that are contacted by TIGIT (paratope residues for clone 31282 bound by TIGIT) were determined. Tables 24 and 25 and FIG. 27C show the residues of TIGIT in contact with the light (Table 24) or heavy (Table 25) chain residues of clone 31282. Contact residues were defined as each amino acid meeting each of the following criteria: (i) it has a calculated binding free energy contribution greater than 0.3 kcal/mol, (ii) it has an experimental averaged B-factor lower than the mean B-factor of all residues in the X-ray structure, (iii) it makes at least 3 pairs of heavy-atom interatomic contacts with antibody atoms at a distance less than or equal to 4.0 Angstroms, (iv) it does not make only solvent-exposed hydrogen bond or ionic interactions, (v) if it is a non-aromatic polar residue (Asn, Gln, Ser, Thr, Asp, Glu, Lys, or Arg), it makes at least one hydrogen bond or ionic interaction with the antibody.

TABLE 24 Summary of epitope residues of TIGIT and corresponding paratope residues on the light chain of clone 31282 Clone 31282 Amino Acid TIGIT Amino Acid Light Chain Asn 58 Tyr 33 Glu 60 Arg 30 Tyr 33 Ile 109 Arg30 Phe 93

TABLE 25 Summary of epitope residues of TIGIT and corresponding paratope residues on the heavy chain of clone 31282 Clone 31282 Amino Acid TIGIT Amino Acid Heavy Chain Gln 56 Trp 104 Ile 68 Tyr 103 Trp104 Leu 73 Tyr33 Val50 Ser 54 Val 50 His 76 Asp 102 Tyr 103 Trp104

Example 24: Competition Assay Between a-TIGIT Clones 31282 and 32959

Anti-TIGIT antibody clone 32959 of human IgG1 isotype was produced in HEK cells and purified as described in Example 17 above.

Jurkat cells overexpressing human TIGIT (Jurkat-hTIGIT) were collected and distributed at 5.104 cells/well and incubated with antagonist a-TIGIT clone 31282 at the following concentrations: 0 nM (No Ab), 0.08 nM, 0.16 nM, 0.8 nM and 8 nM that represent a range of concentration from 0 to 100 times the Kd of this clone. Excess of antibody was washed, and cells were incubated with decreasing concentration (8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.25; 0.125; 0.062; 0.031; 0.016; 0.008 and 0.004 nM) of directly coupled (AF647) anti-TIGIT clone 32959 for 30 min at 4° C. Geometric mean fluorescence intensity was analysed using LSR BD Fortessa. Cell binding was recorded as the median florescence intensity of AF647. For calculation of EC50 binding of clone 32959, the half-maximal concentration of binding (EC50) to hTIGIT-Jurkat was calculated using a four-variable curve-fit equation in Prism, and the obtained values are shown in Table 26 and illustrated in FIG. 28. The results show a strong binding of a-TIGIT clone 32959, independently of the concentration of clone 31282, demonstrating the absence of competition with an antagonist a-TIGIT antibody.

TABLE 26 EC₅₀ concentration for binding of a-TIGIT clone 32959 to Jurkat-hTIGIT in presence of increasing concentration of antagonist a-TIGIT clone 31282 a-TIGIT a-TIGIT a-TIGIT a-TIGIT a-TIGIT 31282 31282 31282 31282 31282 at at at at at 0 nM 0.08 nM 0.16 nM 0.8 nM 8 nM EC₅₀ (nM) 0.22 0.33 0.37 0.49 0.39 binding for a-TIGIT clone 32959 Cell binding 588 Jurkat Human TIGIT FON (Fold Over Negative) for a-TIGIT clone 32959

Example 25: Determination of Pharmacokinetic Profile of Clone 31282 after Single i.v. Injection in Cynomolgus Monkey

Cynomolgus monkeys received a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 or IgG4 via i.v. bolus injection. Antibody was administered at 3 different concentrations (0.1 mg/kg; 1 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg) to 2 animals (1 male and 1 female). Blood was collected through 504 hours post-dose on Day 1. Blood samples were processed for plasma and analyzed for concentration of a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 or IgG4 using an ELISA method. Plasma concentration-time data from individual animals were used to calculate toxicokinetic parameter values for a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 and IgG4 after IV dosing using the intravascular model in Phoenix WinNonlin (version 6.3, Pharsight, a Certara Company, Princeton, N.J.).

Following IV bolus dosing of a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 and IgG4 at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg, IgG1 concentrations were quantifiable in plasma of male and female monkeys through 240 h, 336 h, and 504 h post-dose, respectively, and IgG4 was quantifiable through 168 h, 240 h, and 504 h, respectively (FIG. 29 and Table 27). There were no apparent sex-related differences in systemic exposure (Cmax and AUClast) to IgG1 and IgG4 after i.v. bolus dosing of a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 or IgG4, with ratios (males/females) ranging from 0.855 to 1.16.

Following i.v. bolus dosing of a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 to male and female monkeys, plasma IgG1 concentrations declined biphasically at all dose levels, with mean terminal half-life (t1/2) ranging from 84.7-174 h (FIG. 29). Systemic clearance (CL) was consistent across the doses studied, ranging from 0.280 to 0.392 mL/h/kg. Apparent volume of distribution at steady state (V_(SS)) was consistent among the dose levels tested, with values ranging from 53.7-66.5 mL/kg. The 10-fold increases in a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG1 dose in the range of 0.1 to 1 mg/kg and from 1 to 10 mg/kg resulted in approximately proportional increases in exposure (9.57- to 14.5-fold increases).

Following i.v. administration of a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG4 to male and female monkeys, plasma IgG4 concentrations declined biphasically at all dose levels tested, with t1/2 of 148-334 h (FIG. 29 and Table 28). CL was consistent among the dose levels tested, ranging from 0.160 to 0.219 mL/h/kg. Mean V_(SS) ranged from 41.2-70.7 mL/kg. The 10-fold increases in a-TIGIT clone 31282 IgG4 dose in the range of 0.1 to 1 mg/kg and from 1 to 10 mg/kg resulted in approximately proportional increases in exposure to IgG4 (9.32- to 12.5-fold increases).

TABLE 27 Summary of mean Toxicokinetics parameters for a-TIGIT clone 31282 human IgG1 after i.v. bolus in Cynomolgus monkey a-TIGIT clone 31282 human IgG1 Dose (mg/kg) 0.1 1 10 C_(max) (ug/ml) 2.34 22.4 268 t_(max) (h) 1 1 1 AUC_(last) (h*ug/ml) 224 2330 33700 t_(1/2) (h) 174 84.7 111 Cl (mL/h/kg) 0.292 0.392 0.280 V_(ss) (mL/kg) 66.5 57.2 53.7

TABLE 28 Summary of mean Toxicokinetics parameters for a-TIGIT clone 31282 human IgG4 after i.v. bolus in Cynomolgus monkey a-TIGIT clone 31282 human IgG4 Dose (mg/kg) 0.1 1 10 C_(max) (ug/ml) 2.81 26.2 283 t_(max) (h) 1 1 1 AUC_(last) (h*ug/ml) 238 2690 39100 t_(1/2) (h) 251 334 182 Cl (mL/h/kg) 0.190 0.160 0.216 V_(ss) (mL/kg) 65.7 70.7 57.5

Example 26: Characterization of TIGIT Expression on Human Tumour Cell Populations

Flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the expression of TIGIT on normal and tumour T or B cells in blood samples from cancer patients with different indication of blood cancer.

Sézary Syndrome patient samples were tested to compare TIGIT expression on malignant and normal CD4+ T cell populations. To separate these populations, a pre-determination of the malignant clone TCR-Vb rearrangement was performed using Beckman Coulter TCR-Vb repertoire kit (#IM3497). Once the malignant clone was identified, TIGIT expression was profiled on immune cells of Sézary Syndrome patients using the following commercial reagents: anti-CD3 Krome Orange (#B00068), anti-CD4-PE(#A07751), anti, CD8-PC7 (#737661), anti-CD56-PC5 (#A07789), anti-CD45-Pacific Blue (#A74763), anti-CD19-AF750 (#A94681) and anti-Vb8-FITC (#IM1233) (all from Beckman-Coulter) and anti-TIGIT-APC (clone MBSA43, ebiosciences #17-9500-42). Flow-cytometry analyses of Sézary Syndrome patient samples were performed on a CytoFlex apparatus (Beckman-Coulter). Data were analyzed with FloJo software (FlowJo, LLC).

A representative example is shown on FIG. 30A. Gating strategy for this donor that has a malignant TCR-Vb8 clone is shown in FIG. 30A with malignant cells being CD45+ CD3+ CD4+Vb8+ and normal CD4+ T cells being CD45+ CD3+ CD4+Vb8−. A strong expression of TIGIT is observed on the malignant CD4+ T cells compared to the normal CD4+ T cells (respective MFI of 4987 and 999) (FIG. 30B).

Similarly, flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the expression of TIGIT on normal and malignant B cells in bone marrow samples from patients with CLL. The samples were stained with the following antibody panel: LVD efluor 780 (eBioscience 65-0865-14), anti-CD45-BB515 (Clone HI30, BD Horizon 564585), anti-CD5-BV510 (Clone UCHT2, Biolegend 363381), anti-CD19-BV711 (Clone SJ25C1, BD Horizon 563036) and anti-TIGIT-PE (Clone MBSA43, eBioscience E13456-108). Acquisition was performed on FACS Fortessa (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with FlowJo software (FlowJo, LLC). Viable cells were gated on Forward and Side scatter. Various cell-subsets were gated as followed: CD45+ CD19+ CD5-(Normal B cells) and CD45+ CD19+ CD5+(Malignant B-CLL).

A representative example is shown on FIG. 31 with gating strategy illustrated in FIG. 31A. A high proportion of malignant B-CLL cells are positive for TIGIT (75%), in contrast to normal B cells (1%) (MFIs of 1440 and 810, respectively) (FIG. 31B).

Overall, the data obtained demonstrate that tumour cells express TIGIT in specific blood cancer indications.

Example 27: Anti-Tumour Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody in Monotherapy in Mouse T Cell Lymphoma Model

For this experiment, EL4 T cell lymphoma cells (ATCC® TIB-39™) were engineered to stably express mouse TIGIT (EL4-mTIGIT). EL4 cells transduced with a similar vector coding for GFP were used as control (EL4-GFP). Pools of cells were subcloned to obtain clones of EL4-mTIGIT and EL4-GFP. The anti-TIGIT antibody used was a modified version of antibody 29527 (modified such that residue 27 of VH FR3 is mutated from L to V and where residue 6 of VH FR4 is mutated from M to T) and produced on a human IgG1 isotype. Female Balb/c mice of 8 weeks were inoculated with 1,000,000 EL4-mTIGIT cells or 200.000 EL4-GFP cells subcutaneously. On day 7 after inoculation, when tumor volumes were on average around 110 mm3, mice were randomized in treatment groups with equal tumor volume (n=15 per group for EL4-mTIGIT and n=10 per group for EL4-GFP). Mice were treated with 200 μg of anti-TIGIT or isotype control antibody (hIgG1, BioXcell) by intraperitoneal injections on day 7, day 10, day 13 and day 16 after tumour inoculation. Tumor growth was monitored and tumor volumes were measured with electronic calipers three times a week from day 7 until day 26. Mice were sacrificed when tumor volume exceeded 2000 mm3. Tumor growth curves were statistically analyzed by a linear mixed model. Differences between treatment groups were evaluated by testing the interaction of time*treatment group.

FIG. 32 illustrates tumor growth curves in mice inoculated with EL4-mTIGIT (A-C) or EL4-GFP (D-F). Median tumor growth curves (A and D) as well as individual tumor growth curves for mice treated with hIgG1 isotype control (B and E) or antagonist a-TIGIT Ab (C and F) are represented. In mice inoculated with EL4-mTIGIT cells, there was a significant suppression of tumor growth when treated with anti-TIGIT Ab compared to isotype control treated group (p<0.001). Whereas in the group treated with isotype control antibody, 3 out of 15 mice demonstrated a control of tumor growth with a volume below 700 mm3 at the end of the model, this number was increased to 8 out of 15 mice in the group treated with antagonist anti-TIGIT antibody. No anti-tumor efficacy or complete response could be observed in EL4-GFP tumor bearing mice when comparing antagonist a-TIGIT treatment to isotype control antibody. Together, these data demonstrate that antagonist a-TIGIT antibody (hIgG1) has significant antitumor efficacy in a model with tumor cells expressing TIGIT.

Example 28: Anti-Tumour Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Antibodies in CT26 Colon Carcinoma Mouse Models

In addition to the combination of anti-TIGIT Ab with an anti-PD1 antibody (Examples 12, 13 and 14), the antitumor efficacy of an anti-TIGIT antibody was also evaluated in combination with agonist antibodies specific for co-stimulatory molecules 4-1BB, OX40 and GITR, as well as with an antagonist antibody specific for checkpoint inhibitory molecule ICOS.

CT26 tumour cell line was purchased from ATCC® (CRL-2638™). Female balb/c mice of 8 weeks were subcutaneously inoculated in the right flank with 500.000 cells. On day 9 after inoculation, when tumor volumes were on average around 75 mm3, mice were randomized in treatment groups with equal tumor volume (n=10 mice per group). All the antibodies were given intraperitoneally every 3 days starting on the day of randomization for a total of 3 injections. The anti-TIGIT antibody used was a modified version of antibody 29527 (modified such that residue 27 of VH FR3 is mutated from L to V and where residue 6 of VH FR4 is mutated from M to T) produced on a mouse IgG2a isotype, that was given at 20 μg/mouse. Anti-4-1BB (clone 3H3, BioXCell, BE0239) was given at 5 ug/mouse, a-OX-40 (clone OX-86, BioXCell, BE0031) was given at 20 ug/mouse, a-GITR (clones DTA-1, BioXCell, BE0063) was given at 10 ug/mouse; and a-ICOS (clone 7E.17G9, BioXCell, BE0059) was given at 200 ug/mouse. Tumor growth was monitored and tumor volumes were measured with electronic calipers three times a week from day 7 until day 35. Mice were sacrificed when tumor volume exceeded 2000 mm3. Tumor growth curves were statistically analyzed by a linear mixed model on logarithmically transformed tumor volumes. Differences between treatment groups were evaluated by testing the interaction of time*treatment group. This resulted in a good model fit for the vast majority of the data, except for very small tumor volumes (below 10 mm3). Therefore, these small tumor volumes were treated as missing values. To test for a synergistic effect arising from combining the anti-TIGIT antibody with the corresponding immune checkpoint antibody (IC—i.e. anti-41BB, anti-OX40, anti-GITR, and anti-ICOS), treatment groups were re-coded by a combination of two variables; anti-TIGIT (yes/no) and IC (yes/no). A synergistic effect, on top of the additive effect of each treatment (anti-TIGIT*time and IC*time) was evaluated by testing the interaction term anti-TIGIT*IC*time.

FIG. 33A shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated by anti-TIGIT in monotherapy or in combination with anti-4-1BB. There was significant suppression of tumor growth in mice treated with anti-TIGIT+ anti-4-1BB compared to anti-TIGIT or anti-4-1BB monotherapy (p=0.0005 and p<0.0001 respectively). The combination of anti-TIGIT and anti-4-1BB antibodies resulted in 6/10 mice showing a complete response (where tumor is <30 mm3 and considered as non-measurable), as compared with 1/10 or 0/10 complete response in groups treated respectively with a-TIGIT or a-4-1BB as a single agent. These data demonstrate the significant anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in combination with anti-4-1BB for treatment of pre-established tumors.

FIG. 33B shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated by anti-TIGIT in monotherapy or in combination with anti-OX-40. There was significant suppression of tumor growth in mice treated with anti-TIGIT+ anti-OX-40 compared to anti-TIGIT or anti-OX-40 monotherapy (p=0.0002 and p<0.0001, respectively). The combination of anti-TIGIT+ anti-OX-40 achieved synergistic anti-tumor efficacy that was more than the additive effect of both monotherapy treatments (p=0.02). The combination of anti-TIGIT and anti-OX-40 antibodies resulted in 7/10 mice showing a complete response as compared with 1/10 or 0/10 complete response in groups treated respectively with a-TIGIT or a-OX-40 as a single agent. These data demonstrate the significant and synergistic anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in combination with anti-OX-40 for treatment of pre-established tumors.

FIG. 33C shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated by anti-TIGIT in monotherapy or in combination with anti-GITR. There was significant suppression of tumor growth in mice treated with anti-TIGIT+ anti-GITR compared to anti-TIGIT or anti-GITR monotherapy (p<0.0001). The combination of anti-TIGIT+ anti-GITR achieved synergistic anti-tumor efficacy that was more than the additive effect of both monotherapy treatments (p=0.01). The combination of anti-TIGIT and anti-GITR antibodies resulted in 6/10 mice showing a complete response as compared with 1/10 or 0/10 in groups treated respectively with anti-TIGIT or anti-GITR as a single agent. These data demonstrate the significant and synergistic anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in combination with anti-GITR for treatment of pre-established tumors.

FIG. 33D shows median tumor growth curves per group as well as individual growth curves for mice treated by anti-TIGIT in monotherapy or in combination with anti-ICOS. There was significant suppression of tumor growth in mice treated with anti-TIGIT+ anti-ICOS compared to anti-TIGIT or anti-ICOS monotherapy (p=0.003 and p=0.0001 respectively). The combination of anti-TIGIT and anti-ICOS antibodies resulted in 1/10 mice showing a complete response (where tumor is <30 mm3 and considered as non-measurable), as compared with 1/10 or 0/10 in groups treated respectively with anti-TIGIT or anti-ICOS antibodies as a single agent. These data demonstrate the significant and synergistic anti-tumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT therapy in combination with anti-ICOS for treatment of pre-established tumors.

Example 29: Activity of Anti-TIGIT Antagonistic Antibody on γδ T Cells

γδ (gamma-delta, or g/d) T cells are a population of unconventional T cells with described antitumor activity (Zhao et al. 2018. J Transl Med. 16:122) and antiviral activity (e.g. CMV infection) and also have been implicated in autoimmune diseases (Malik S et al. 2016. Front Immunol. 7:14).

Flow cytometry analyses were performed to assess the expression of TIGIT on γδ T cells on PBMC freshly isolated from healthy individuals with a seronegative or seropositive status for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (CMV status was assessed by the EFS Nouvelle Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France). Cells were stained per manufacturer's instruction using filtered FACS buffer (PBS+2 mM EDTA+0.1% BSA). Acquisition was performed on a FACS Fortessa (BD Biosciences) and analyzed with BD FACS DIVA software (BD Biosciences). Cells were gated on Forward and Side scatter and viability. γδ T cells were gated as follows: CD3+ TCRγδ+Vδ2-(Vδ2− γδ T cells) using the following antibodies: anti-TCR γδ APC, clone REA591 #130-109-280 from Miltenyi; anti-TCR Vδ2-PE-Vio 770, clone REA771, #130-111-012 from Miltenyi; BV421 mouse anti-human CD3, clone UCHT1, #560365 from BD Biosciences; Zombie Aqua Fixable viable kit, #423101 from Biolegend.

Similar to conventional αβ T cells, non-conventional Vδ2− γδ T cells express TIGIT in both CMV negative and positive human populations (anti-TIGIT, clone MBSA43, #12-98500-42 from eBioscience) (FIG. 34A). To characterize the functional consequence of blocking TIGIT receptor on this cell population, magnetically isolated Vδ1+γδ T cells (anti-TCR Vd1-FITC, clone REA173 #130-100-532 and anti-FITC Microbeads #130-048-701 both from Miltenyi) or total PBMC from CMV positive donors were activated with anti-Vδ1 (10 ug/ml) (clone R9.1, #IM1761 from Beckman Coulter) and IL-15 (20 ng/ml), #200-15-50UG from Peprotech), IL-2 (100 U/ml, #200-02-1MG Peprotech) was additionally added to isolated Vδ1+γδ T cells, in presence or absence of TIGIT-ligand CD155 (#9174-CD-050 from R&D Systems). FIG. 34B shows a dose-dependent decrease in IFNγ secretion (ELISA kit, #3420-1 h-20 from Mabtech) mediated by the addition of TIGIT-ligand CD155 (0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/ml) with a maximal inhibition reached at 1 ug/ml of CD155. The addition of anti-TIGIT Ab clone 31282 (10 ug/ml) fully restores IFNγ production to level equal or higher to the condition without CD155 ligand while human IgG1 isotype control has very limited effect. FIG. 34C demonstrates similar inhibitory effect mediated by CD155 (10 μg/ml) after anti-Vδ1 activation of total PBMC and a total restoration of IFNγ secretion when a-TIGIT clone 31282 is added to the mix. These data demonstrate that, similar to αβ T cells, activity of γδ T cells can be impaired by ligation of CD155 to TIGIT and that anti-TIGIT antibodies fully prevent this inhibition. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for treating cancer, the method comprising administering to a human patient in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to a human T cell Immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) comprising a HCDR1, a HCDR2, and a HCDR3, and a light chain variable domain (VL) comprising a LCDR1, a LCDR2 and a LCDR3, wherein: the LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, the LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:62, and the LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:63; and the HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, the HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:17, and the HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:18.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the VH comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:221 wherein all differences are located in a framework region of the VH; and the VL comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:222 wherein all differences are located in a framework region of the VL.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the VH comprises SEQ ID NO:221 and the VL comprises SEQ ID NO:222.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antibody is a human IgG antibody.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antibody is a human IgG1 antibody.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition is effective for selective depletion of TIGIT-expressing T-regulatory (T-reg) cells in the subject.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is a lung cancer.
 8. A method for increasing patient survival in a human patient in need of depletion of T reg cells, the method comprising administering to the human patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to a human T cell Immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) comprising a HCDR1, a HCDR2, and a HCDR3, and a light chain variable domain (VL) comprising a LCDR1, a LCDR2 and a LCDR3, wherein: the LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, the LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:62, and the LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:63; and the HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, the HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:17, and the HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:18.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the VH comprises SEQ ID NO:221 and the VL comprises SEQ ID NO:222.
 10. A method for decreasing tumor volume, the method comprising administering to a human patient in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to a human T cell Immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment comprises a heavy chain variable domain (VH) comprising a HCDR1, a HCDR2, and a HCDR3, and a light chain variable domain (VL) comprising a LCDR1, a LCDR2 and a LCDR3, wherein: the LCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 61, the LCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:62, and the LCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:63; and the HCDR1 comprises SEQ ID NO: 16, the HCDR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:17, and the HCDR3 comprises SEQ ID NO:18.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the VH comprises SEQ ID NO:221 and the VL comprises SEQ ID NO:222.
 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the antibody is a human IgG1 antibody.
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the human patient has lung cancer.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the antibody is a human IgG1 antibody.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the human patient has lung cancer. 